Confederate States of America (CSA)

A Regimental History

Information gathered by John Griffin

In honor and remembrance of the ancestors
who served with this regiment, lest they be forgotten, this
regimental history is dedicated to:

David Kirkland, born in 1834 in Coffee County, Georgia
he was the son of Timothy Kirkland and Anna Holloway. David
married my Great Aunt (times 4) Sarah Lott (1842-1902), daughter
of Daniel Lott Sr and Catherine Bowen-Carver. David served in
Company B, of the 4th Georgia Cavalry.

John C. McMillan born 25 April 1810 in Camden County,
Georgia, was the son of Daniel McMillan and Margaret Smith. John
married on 30 March 1837 in Irwin County, Georgia, my first
cousin four times removed, Sarah Paulk (1823-1899). Sarah was the
daughter of Jacob Paulk Sr. and Catherine Henderson. John
initially served with Company I, 50th Georgia Volunteer Infantry.
He was their 1st Lieutenant on 4 March 1862. He later
resigned on 23 May 1862 and then enlisted as a private on 23 July
1863 in Company H of the 4th Georgia Cavalry. This may
have been due to his age of 52 at the time choosing to fight on
horse, rather than on foot. John surrendered at Doctorstown,
Georgia in 1865. He died 15 November 1887 in Berrien, County
Georgia.

Benjamin Franklin "Frank" Wilcox was my Great
Uncle (times 4) born on 12 July 1826 in Appling County, Georgia.
He was the son of Thomas Wilcox and Mary McMillian. On 17 June
1863 he married Mary Jane Simmons. Frank served the state of
Georgia and the CSA as a member of 4th Georgia
Cavalry. He died on 18 December 1896 in Jeff Davis County,
Georgia.

Richard M. Tucker was my first cousin four times
removed born in 1829 in Irwin County, Georgia. He was the son of
John Tucker and Hestser Ann Nobles. He married Nancy Hughes. He
served as a private, Company H, of the 4th Georgia Cavalry.

Confusion in research: Two 4th
Georgia Cavalry regiments

The 4th (Clinch's) Cavalry regiment was formed in January 1862
using the 3rd Georgia Cavalry Battalion as it nucleus and the
addition of extra volunteers that resulted in the formation of
the 26th Georgia Infantry Regiment. The call for
volunteers to the 26th Georgia Volunteer Infantry resulted in so
many men enlisting that thirteen full companies were raised.
Since the standard infantry regiment had ten companies the excess
volunteers from the 26th Georgia Infantry were
reassigned and combined with other volunteers to form the 4th
Georgia, a full cavalry regiment. Colonel Duncan L. Clinch Jr.,
son of the prominent Georgian Brigadier General Duncan L. Clinch,
Sr., was its founder and commander.

There was another Georgia Cavalry of 11 companies designated
also as the 4th Georgia Cavalry under the command of
Colonel Isaac W. Avery. That regiment is often referred to as
(Avery'
s) 4th Georgia Cavalry and used
Avery'
s 23rd Georgia Cavalry Battalion as its
nucleus. Prior to this Avery was in command of the "
Mountain
Dragoons"
. Towards the end of the war, January 1865 it was
reorganized into the 12th Georgia Cavalry. When
researching any 4th Georgia Cavalry action, it is
important to review the commanding officers as to not confuse the
two separate units.

Officers and Organization:

Colonel Clinch's regiment drew many of its men from
Wayne, Glynn, Berrien and Camden counties. The regimental
commanders were Colonel Duncan L. Clinch jr., Lt. Colonel John L.
Harris and Major Jesse C. McDonald. Other Officers included:

In 1861 the then Captain Clinch, an aide-de-camp for General
Lawton, is identified as such in a 5 October 1861 correspondence.
The correspondence helps set the concern felt in the state of
Georgia regarding the threat posed by the Federal Army.

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter of the 29th of September by
the hands of my aide-de-camp,
Captain Clinch. That
the course I found it my duty to pursue in an emergency
with regard to a portion of the arms landed in Savannah
from the steamer Bermuda does not meet with the approval
of the Department is to me a source of sincere regret. I
would content myself, however, with the reflection that I
had discharged my whole duty according to my best
judgment, and bow in silence to the decision of the
proper authority, did not the terms in which you are
pleased to characterize my conduct, and the illustrations
to which you resort to make manifest its impropriety,
force me either to call your attention to some of them or
to consent at once to an entire surrender of my own
self-respect. When such an alternative is presented I
cannot hesitate as to my duty. Indulge me while I state
the facts briefly: For several days after the arrival of
the Bermuda at Savannah it was impossible to ascertain
here whether the arms and munitions by the steamer were
public or private property. Sorely pressed for the want
of arms, and authorized as I was by the War Department to
organize the necessary force for the defense of this
coast, I communicated promptly with the consignees in
Charleston, and wrote and telegraphed the
Adjutant--General on the subject. I am not aware that I
transcended my authority in this. There was no reply to
either my letter or telegraph to the Adjutant-General,
though these applications were certainly most respectful
in terms and directly connected with my official duties.
Repeated inquiries from day to day satisfied me that
neither the ordnance officer nor quartermaster of this
command (to whose care would naturally have been
committed such portions of the cargo as appertained to
each of these departments), nor any other Confederate
officer, had any control or supervision over these arms,
so invaluable to the Confederate Government. Without
reference even to my extreme desire to procure a portion
of these arms for my command, as the military commander
of this district I did not feel that I was officious in
exercising some general supervision over, or at least
manifesting profound interest in, so much valuable public
property, for I had not then been informed by the War
Department that this was no more to be expected of me
"than that I would assume to exercise authority in
Virginia or Missouri."
In this state of uncertainty and anxiety I received an
application from the collector of this port to place a
guard over certain arms and munitions believed to be the
property of the Confederate States. It was after this, and
when the report that the enemy's fleet was intended for
the coast of Georgia had caused great excitement and alarm
among the good people within the limits of my command, that
I took possession of a portion of these arms, notifying the
Department promptly of my action in the premises. The Department
seems to treat this matter as though the arms were by my
act placed out of its reach, or even sent "beyond seas,"
whereas they were simply taken possession of
by an ordnance officer of the Confederate service under
my command, and such as were issued at all were placed in
the hands of troops mustered in for the war, subject to
be ordered anywhere or disarmed, at the pleasure of the
Government, when the emergency was over; and the result
has shown the correctness of this view, for the order of
the Department touching these very arms has now been
executed to the letter, without obstacle or delay. I was
not a little surprised to learn from your letter that
instead of asking instructions I had "informed the
Department by telegraph of my intention to seize these
arms, to which no other reply could be made," &c.
If I ever sent any such dispatch, neither my
memory nor my copy book recalls it, and should it have
any existence, I beg to ask the favor of you to forward
me a copy of it from the files of the Department. I know
of but two dispatches sent by me on this subject, the
first to the Adjutant-General, as follows:

SEPTEMBER 20, 1861.

I earnestly request that the arms and
munitions of war by steamer Bermuda now here may not
leave Savannah until you receive my letter of this date.
The second, addressed to the Secretary of War, in reply
to one warning me as to the intended attack on Brunswick,
&c., and dated 25th of September, was as follows: I
can do nothing for want of arms, unless I hold those from
steamer Bermuda. I sent to-day a special agent to
Richmond on this subject. There is an entire absence of
any expression of intention in either of these, and both
of them simply and earnestly ask the assistance of the
Department. I will here add that if in all matters of
importance appertaining to this military district I delay
action until I can receive instructions from Richmond, my
presence here can be of little importance in any
emergency, for the average time consumed in asking for
and receiving instructions or replies of any kind is at
least ten days, so great is the pressure of
correspondence on the Department. Was there no emergency
to justify my act? Aside from the rumors with which the
public ear was filled, the Governor of Georgia notified
me of a private dispatch from Richmond announcing that
the mammoth fleet of the enemy was intended for
Brunswick, on this coast. The same information was
dispatched directly to me by Hon. Howell Cobb and by the
Secretary of War, the latter on the same day, though
after I had sent my agent to Richmond. Under these
circumstances, had the enemy obtained a footing on this
coast for the want of a force to resist, while I had
unarmed men under my command and arms in abundance boxed
up in a warehouse near by, I never could have justified
myself before any tribunal, military, civil, or social.
In the trying and almost unaided position in which I am
placed, pardon me for saying that it is truly painful to
have it intimated by the Department that I have utterly
misconceived my powers and duties and, indeed, that I am
ignorant of the first principles of organization; that
the Department "acts through its appropriate
bureaus." I had hoped that an early military
education, followed by some experience in the military
service of my country, would have protected me, even
after many years spent in civil life, from official
suggestions so mortifying to manly pride. While I hold a
commission those in authority over me have only to
command and I obey. If, however, my conduct, when left
without instructions, deserves to be characterized by the
Department as it has been through your letter of the 29th
of September, I respectfully ask that the facts may be
ascertained and passed upon by a military tribunal. I
have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, R. LAWTON, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
O.R.--SERIES IV--VOLUME I

Regimental Duty-Scouting and Courier
assignments Southeast Georgia

A Confederate military presence was needed in the coastal
region of southeastern Georgia. This was the reason the 4th
Georgia Cavlary under its command Clinch was formed. This area of
Georgia was virtually without defense by 1862. The Confederate
military leaders of the District of Georgia, Florida and South
Carolina had essentially abandoned this practically indefensible
area with its numerous rivers, bays, creeks, tidal estuaries, and
off-shore islands. Most of the men had left to join the
Confederate Armies being raised in South Georgia leaving behind
many women and negros at home to work the farms and stand in
defense of their property. The only military forces remaining in
the area were several independent companies of Partisan Rangers,
and three excess mounted companies which had been spun off from
the 26th GA Infantry and left behind when that regiment went
north in the spring of 1862 to join the Army of Northern
Virginia.

These mounted and Partisan Ranger companies were formed into
the 3rd Battalion of Georgia Volunteer Cavalry in early 1862,
under the command of then Major Duncan L. Clinch. Their mission
eventually over-taxed the limited man-power of the 3rd Battalion
and, in early 1863, the Battalion was enlarged to ten companies,
and re-designated the 4th Georgia Cavlary. At that point, Clinch
was promoted to a full colonel.

The regiment served on the Georgia coast from 1862 until the
spring of 1864. The majority of this cavalry's assignment
was to provide scouting and courier service to the Confederate
Army in the coastal regions of South Georgia, Florida, and South
Carolina. In addition to trying to offer some resistance and
harassment to invading Federal troops in the area, they were a
presence of protection for the Georgia families left behind. It
was hard, unglamorous work and it took its toll in the health of
men and animals. This caused their duty station to be between the
Altamaha and Saint Mary's Rivers for most of its service prior to
summer 1864.

One early correspondence from Captain Hazzard to Colonel
Clinch relates to a possible attack on the city of Charleston.
Captain Hazzard urges his commander to pass up the information
received regarding the shift from Savannah to Charleston of the
Yankee threat.

THE OPERATIONS ON THE COASTS OF
SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND MIDDLE AND EAST FLORIDA FROM
APRIL 12, 1862, TO JUNE 11,CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS
RELATING SPECIALLY TO 1863. CONFEDERATE
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#11 CAMP CLINCH, December 20, 1862.
Lieut. Col. D. L. CLINCH, Waynesville:

COLONEL: At the special request of old
Henry (who I wrote you had come over from the island) I
again write in relation to the attack upon Charleston. As
he was raised near the city he feels a deep interest in
it. He says they are going to make great efforts to take
it, that he overheard officers say that a few boats would
engage the fort, while forty would land a large force
somewhere near the city, and that they expected to take
the city with this land force; a great many negroes would
fight with them; he cannot tell where this place is they
are going to land. We asked when Savannah would be
attacked. He said the Yankees say there is too much
Northern property in Savannah that would be injured if an
attack was made upon the city, and that Savannah was
different from Charleston, as Charleston gave the first
offense, and before they got through with it one stone
shall not be left upon another. He says preparations were
being made to plant an immense quantity of cotton on the
island next summer, but that one of their spies returned
on Thursday night and reported that I had come back from
Savannah and had got permission to make an attack upon
the island; that I was fixing up boats upon the Altamaha,
and that the cars were bringing more troops for the
attack. This spy stated he heard me tell one of the
officers these things. This is a lie, but a conversation
I had with Major Harris must have been overheard by some
accursed traitor in our camps and communicated to the
spy. After getting your approval to make the attack upon
the Pike's Bluff pickets I went quietly to work fixing
the boats. The only person I spoke to was Mr. William
Couper. I thought it best to get his consent to use the
Hopeton boats.

One night last week I spoke to Major
Harris about it; that conversation was undoubtedly
overheard. So soon as these things were communicated the
Governor made them a speech and ordered everything to
leave the island. On Monday night, in the hurry and
confusion of leaving, he gave the sentinel the slip. His
limbs are much swollen from long confinement. As soon as
he can get about I will send him to you. He says their
loss upon the Saint Simon's while we were there was some
15 or 18, and that he knows it to be the fact that the
buzzards destroyed their dead while they surrounded the
place. He also stated that a child and 3 negroes were
killed in the scrape upon the Altamaha. There were no
whites in the boat. I have no doubt but that the gunboat
that left the sound Tuesday took off the last negro on
the island. The most of them were on board before Henry
left. Would it not be well, colonel, to warn our
commanders of this land attack against Charleston? Very
respectfully, W. M. HAZZARD, Captain Glynn Guards. O.R.--
SERIES I--VOLUME XIV

Action is suggested by the leaders of the 4th
Georgia Cavalry against Federal gunboats in the Savannah
District.

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS
RELATING SPECIALLY TO THE
OPERATIONS ON THE COASTS OF SOUTH
CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND MIDDLE AND EAST FLORIDA FROM APRIL
12, 1862, TO JUNE 11, 1863.CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE,
ETC.--#14HDQRS. DEPT. SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND
FLORIDA, Charleston, S.C., March 6, 1863. Brig. Gen. H.
W. MERCER, Commanding District of Georgia, Savannah:

GENERAL: The letter of
N. B. Clinch,
adjutant
Fourth Georgia Cavalry, to
Colonel Clinch, dated February 26, 1863, and
forwarded through your headquarters, has been considered
by the commanding general, who sanctions the proposed
expedition for the capture of the Federal gunboats in the
sound south of the Altamaha. You are therefore authorized
to direct the necessary preparations for the adventure,
and to do whatsoever you may regard as essential or
calculated to insure success. Respectfully, your obedient
servant, THOMAS JORDAN, Chief of Staff. O.R.-- SERIES
I--VOLUME XIV

Operations in and around Jacksonville

Colonel Clinch was ordered to take his subordinate Major J. C.
McDonald, a battery of three pieces of artillery, and 277 men
from five companies of the regiment to the vicinity of
Jacksonville where they are to join other Confederate units from
Florida. Records indicate that the Lieutenant-Colonel Harris, and
the remaining men of the 4th Georgia Cavalry stayed
near their base of operations by the Southeast Georgia coast.
General Finegan reports of the desperate situation surrounding
the town of Jacksonville and of the ability of his troops to
protect the citizens in the area. The 4th Georgia
Cavalry is present with 277 men and 3 pieces of light artillery.

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS
RELATING SPECIALLY TO THE OPERATIONS ON THE COASTS OF
SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND MIDDLE AND EAST FLORIDA FROM
APRIL 12, 1862, TO JUNE 11, 1863.CONFEDERATE
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#15 HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF EAST
FLORIDA, Camp near Jacksonville, March 20, 1863. Brig.
Gen. THOMAS JORDAN, Chief of Staff:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report
that the enemy still occupy the town of Jacksonville. My
command has been engaged in skirmishing with them
constantly since their occupation, inflicting on them a
considerable loss. The nature of the ground in rear of
the town and the sweep of the enemy's fire from their
gunboats over it, together with the inadequate result of
compelling a merely temporary abandonment of the place by
the enemy and then withdrawing for a new occupation by
them, have induced me to withhold my troops from any
great exposure.

The constant presence of five gunboats
at Jacksonville, two of which carry a very heavy
armament, and the great difficulty of getting my light
field batteries in a position where the gunboats would be
within reach of their effective fire before being exposed
to a concentrated fire from all the enemy's heavy guns,
have prevented me from making an attack on the town. I
should not, however, have hesitated to attack and carry
the place had there been any probability that the
substantial result of holding it would be within reach of
the means at my command.

The heavy guns and the force necessary
to do this I have not at my command, nor have I any
assurance that I can obtain them, and I have considered
it my duty, unless the enemy should remove a sufficient
number of his gunboats to enable me to strike an
effective blow, not to expose my command to severe loss
from firing which we have not now an opportunity of
returning with effect.

The town is now strongly fortified in
the rear, and this furnishes an additional reason for not
venturing an attack, unless we had the heavy guns and the
force necessary to hold it. One of the difficulties of
the position is that unless I can place my guns in
position to command the wharves and the ground below the
town (which is very difficult to accomplish so long as
the gunboats remain in front of the town), after
approaching under the fire of their gunboats and
batteries, I may find the enemy escaped on board his
transports and rapidly passing beyond my fire, leaving my
troops still exposed to his guns.

The enemy's force in Jacksonville
consists of two regiments of black troops with white
officers, commanded respectively by Colonels Montgomery
and Higginson, largely reenforced, as we are advised by
our pickets today, by troops supposed to be white. They
are making prisoners of all male citizens found in
Jacksonville, on the Saint John's River, who refuse to
take the oath of allegiance, and holding them as hostages
for their negro troops. They are robbing and plundering
everything on the east bank of the Saint John's River,
which is protected from us by their gunboats, and the
river at almost all points above here is very wide and
impassable without large boats.

The women and children, excepting five
or six families, have been removed from town under a
notification which I ordered Lieutenant-Colonel
McCormick, commanding post, to send to Colonel Higginson,
commanding negro troops at Jacksonville (copies of which
and the reply thereto are herewith transmitted), in order
that I might be at liberty to attack the town should a
favorable opportunity present itself. They have been sent
to Lake City, where some provision will be made for them.

The enemy have been expecting
reinforcements of white troops, some of which are
reported by our pickets to have arrived today. Their own
statements and circumstances indicate that their probable
policy is to occupy Jacksonville with white troops and
send the negroes, with largely increased numbers, to
Palatka, and then attempt to move amongst the
plantations. If large numbers of negro troops are to be
sent into East Florida, as seems now the intention of the
enemy, with the Saint John's River as a base of
operations held by their gunboats, and within easy access
of the great depots of supplies and reinforcements at
Port Royal and of occasional reinforcements from
Fernandina and Saint Augustine, it will be impossible for
the small number of troops in this district to render
protection to every part of it.

I am compelled to keep one company at
Tampa, one at Palatka, one near Fernandina, one on the
coast between Bayport and Crystal River, three
detachments on the Suwannee and at Cedar Keys, as corps
of observation and to prevent negroes from escaping to
the enemy. I would again call the attention of the
commanding general to the want of arms for the new
companies now being organized. I would also ask of the
commanding general instructions as to the proper
disposition of negroes captured with arms and serving
under the enemy.

I would also report to the commanding
general that General Cobb has sent me one large gun,
Captain Gamble's battery of light artillery, and two new
companies, about 40 men each, and that
Colonel Clinch,
commanding
Fourth Georgia Cavalry, is here
with three small pieces of artillery and 277 men. I have
the honor to be, general, &c., JOS. FINEGAN,
Brigadier-General, Commanding. O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME
XIV

In March of 1863 the 4th Georgia Cavalry is at Camp
Finegan in the District of East Florida. Movements of troops in
the area are detailed and Colonel Clinch is ordered to command
the whole force as detailed in Special Orders #180.

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS
RELATING SPECIALLY TO THE OPERATIONS ON THE COASTS OF
SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND MIDDLE AND EAST FLORIDA FROM
APRIL 12, 1862, TO JUNE 11, 1863. CONFEDERATE
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#15 SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 180. HDQRS.
DISTRICT OF EAST FLORIDA, Camp Finegan, March 22, 1863.

Col. D. L. Clinch commanding Confederate States forces at
this camp, will move the troops of this command to the hill
on this side of the Three Mile Branch in the following order
on tomorrow morning at 7 a.m.: 1st. Two batteries of artillery.
2d. All the cavalry that can be spared from picket duty. 3d.
All the infantry and dismounted cavalry. The cavalry will
be under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel McCormick. The
artillery will be under the command of Major Thomas. The
infantry under command of Major Brevard. The whole force
will be under the command of
Colonel Clinch.
Captain Buckman, in addition to his ordinary duty of
keeping the command supplied with ammunition, will be
charged with the management of the 32-pounder rifle gun
on platform car. He will be required to see that the gun
and its support are protected with cotton and
entrenchments for the men. The line of battle will be
formed on the hill on this side of the Three Mile Branch.
Every effort will be made by our skirmishers to advance
to the ground selected, and, failing in this, we will
open on them with the 32-pounder rifle gun.
Colonel Clinch will require the supply of ammunition to be
ample for a protracted engagement. The men will be
required to carry two days' rations cooked. The camp will
be left under command of a suitable officer, with the
camp guard of this day. The men will be required to be
kept under arms ready to move. The train will be ordered
by Colonel Clinch to move the infantry and
dismounted cavalry. The chief surgeon, with his
assistants, will be required to be on the ground with
ambulances and necessary surgical appliances. By order of
Brigadier-General Finegan, commanding: W. CALL, Assistant
Adjutant-General. O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XIV

In correspondence dated 30 March 1863 mention is made of the
noteworthy command of Colonel Clinch of all CSA forces in the
actions in and around Jacksonville. Five companies of the 4th
Georgia Cavalry are noted for their service, three of which
fought dismounted as infantry. The companies involved from the 4th
Georgia Cavalry "
performed hard and important outpost and
picket duty night and day, lying close to the enemy and on
several occasions driving them back when they were out in force,
and while under cover of fire from their gunboats and
batteries."

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS
RELATING SPECIALLY TO THE OPERATIONS ON THE COASTS OF
SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND MIDDLE AND EAST FLORIDA FROM
APRIL 12, 1862, TO JUNE 11, 1863. CONFEDERATE
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#16 GENERAL ORDERS, No. 12.
HDQRS. DISTRICT OF EAST FLORIDA, Lake City, Fla., March
30, 1863.

The brigadier-general commanding has
much pleasure in commending in the highest terms the
conduct and services of the officers and men of the
command near Jacksonville in the recent operations
against the enemy. The duties imposed on them were
severe, constant, and dangerous. They were performed by
both officers and men with a cheerfulness and gallantry
which would be creditable to any troops in the service.
The command was composed of the companies of Capts.
Winston Stephens and [W. E.] Chambers, of the Second
[Florida] Cavalry (Lieutenant-Colonel [A. H.] McCormick
commanding), assisted by Maj. R. Harrison, of that
regiment; the companies of Captain [Edwin] West, of First
Special Battalion; of Captain [S. F.] Rou's company,
serving as infantry; Captains [John] Westcott, [S. W.]
Mays, [P. B.] Bird, J. Q. Stewart, of First Partisan
Rangers, and the independent infantry companies of
Captains [Samuel E.] Hope, John Bryan, A. [A.] Stewart,
O. F. Peek, C. Beggs, [A. P.] Mootey, and Lieutenant
Tucker's company, from camp of instruction, commanded by
Maj. T. W. Brevard; and the artillery companies of
Captains [R. H.] Gamble, [Joseph L.] Dunham, and [Henry
F.] Abell, with five companies of
Fourth Georgia
Cavalry, Colonel [D. L.] Clinch commanding, three of
which served as infantry under the command of
Major
[J. C.] McDonald, of that regiment.
Colonel Clinch,
as commanding officer of forces, during his stay was
active and efficient in the discharge of his duty, and,
with
Major McDonald and his officers and men, was
eager and ready to meet the enemy on all occasions.

Lieutenant-Colonel McCormick,
commanding cavalry, and Maj. R. Harrison, Second Florida
Cavalry, with Captains Chambers and Stephens and their
officers and men, performed constant and severe duty,
watching and meeting the enemy night and day. Maj. T. W.
Brevard, commanding infantry, with Captain West's company
of First Special Battalion, and Captains Westcott, Mays,
Bird, and J. Q. Stewart and their companies of First
Battalion of Partisan Rangers; and independent infantry
of Captains Hope, Bryan, A. [A.] Stewart, O. F. Peek,
Beggs, and Mootey; Captain Rou's company of dismounted
cavalry; Lieutenant Tucker's company from camp of
instruction, and the companies of
Fourth Georgia
Cavalry, performed hard and important outpost and
picket duty night and day, lying close to the enemy, and
on several occasions driving them back when they were out
in force, and while under cover of the fire from their
gunboats and batteries.

Captain Hope with his company performed
good service, and Captains Mootey, Peek, and Beggs, and
their officers and men, although just mustered into
service, did their duty bravely and well. Lieutenant
Tucker, commanding company from camp of instruction,
rendered efficient service and is entitled to favorable
mention; as also are Lieut. Thomas Broome and Cadet Lewis
M. Gamble. Major [R. B.] Thomas, chief of artillery,
commanded the batteries with efficiency and performed
good service.

The veteran regiment--First Georgia
Regulars, Lieutenant-Colonel [William] Martin commanding,
with Major Wayne--maintained during their short service
with the command the high reputation they won elsewhere.
Lieut. T. E. Buckman, chief of ordnance, rendered most
valuable service during the operations, and is entitled
to the highest praise for his bravery, his skill, and his
indefatigable energy.

Private Francis Soule, of Captain
West's company, First Special Battalion, commanding gun
detachment, is justly entitled to distinguished
commendation for the firmness with which, on several
different occasions, he stood by his gun under the
enemy's heavy and accurate fire, and for the admirable
skill and efficiency with which he commanded his gun.

Private James Chesnut, of Captain
Chambers' company, also deserves special notice for
valuable services rendered day and night at an exposed
and isolated point immediately under the enemy's guns.
The brigadier-general commanding congratulates the troops
on the result of their labors. With small loss to
themselves they have inflicted considerable punishment on
the enemy and rendered his occupation of the town
fruitless. By order of Brigadier-General Finegan,
commanding: W. CALL, Assistant Adjutant-General, O.R.--
SERIES I--VOLUME XIV

In a report filed on 31 March 1863, Brigadier General Joseph
Finegan describes the actions of late March against the enemy
holding the town of Jacksonville. Colonel Clinch is noted as the
"commanding general" and was again mentioned favorably.
In this report we do not have specific indication of the service
performed by the 4th Georgia Cavalry, but the battle
of engaged CSA forces in aggregate is detailed.

GENERAL: I have the honor to report
that on the night of the 24th instant I directed
Lieutenant [T. E.] Buckman, chief of ordnance, to proceed
with the rifled 32-pounder furnished me by
Brigadier-General [H.] Cobb, mounted on a platform car on
the railroad, and a sufficient infantry support for the
gun, to within range of the town, and open on it with
shot and shell. In obedience to this order Lieutenant
Buckman proceeded to within 1? miles of the town and
opened on it with effect, throwing shell with great
accuracy into those parts of the town where the enemy
were located. The gun was admirably served, and great
credit is due to Lieutenant Buckman and to Private
Francis Soule, of Captain [Edwin] West's company, First
Special Battalion Florida Volunteers, commanding gun
detachment, for its effective service. The firing of the
enemy from a large number of heavy guns on their gunboats
and some in battery soon became concentrated and
accurate, and the gun, in pursuance of orders, was
withdrawn after inflicting some damage on the enemy and
without loss on our side.

On the succeeding morning the enemy
advanced in force, about 1,500 strong, in three columns,
driving in pickets with skirmishers, and formed in line
of battle about 3 miles from town. My entire force was
immediately ordered with all possible expedition to
proceed to the ground where they were drawn up and engage
them. The rifled 32-pounder, under command of Lieutenant
Buckman, with a strong support of infantry and cavalry on
left flank, protected on the right by the main body of
our troops, was sent down on the railroad, and opened on
the enemy as soon as they came within range, gradually
approaching them until within full view of a considerable
force protected by a 12-pounder Parrott gun, and engaged
in destroying a culvert over which it was necessary for
our gun to pass in order to shell the town. Lieutenant
Buckman opened on them with effect, throwing shell with
great accuracy and dispersing the party.

In the mean time a section of Captain
[R. H.] Gamble's battery of Florida artillery was ordered
some little distance in advance of our main body, and
under command of Captain Gamble and Lieutenant [F. L.]
Villepigue opened on the enemy a cross-fire in the
direction where they were supposed to be lying concealed
in some force. The enemy had in this fight, in addition
to the Parrott gun on the railroad car, a small hand
piece, with which he opened in the direction of the
firing from Captain Gamble's section. He did not await
the advance of the main body of our troops, but retired
precipitately soon after the 32-pounder gun had opened on
him. I continued to throw shell into their column for
some distance on their retreat, and found evidence of
considerable loss on their part--a number of guns, caps,
haversacks, canteens, and fragments of human bodies and
portions of skulls were found on the several roads
occupied by their columns. The conduct and services on
this occasion of Lieut. T. E. Buckman, chief of ordnance,
and of Private Francis Soule, of Captain West's company
(First Special Battalion), commanding gun detachment of
32-pounder rifled gun, is again entitled to special
commendation.

The enemy having retired, I sent
forward a strong body of infantry, under command of Major
[T. W.] Brevard, First Partisan Rangers, with orders to
hold them in reserve under cover from the enemy's guns,
and to send forward a body of skirmishers to approach
cautiously and ascertain the position of the enemy in the
immediate vicinity of the town and endeavor to draw them
out in force. The order was executed by Major Brevard
with promptness, gallantry, and discretion. The
skirmishers, under command of Major Brevard in person,
advanced to within a short distance of the town. Finding
the enemy's pickets drawn into their outer battery (a
strong position on the brow of a hill), a ravine in
front, and a strong force well posted for its defense and
under good cover on either flank, and having no further
object to gain, I ordered Major Brevard's command to
retire, and replacing and strengthening my pickets,
returned with the main body of my force to camp, having
inflicted on the enemy, as I have reason to believe, a
probable loss of 10 or 15 men, without any casualties to
my own troops.

The conduct and spirit of both officers
and men of the entire command were excellent, and I
desire to mention favorably to the commanding general
Col. Duncan L. Clinch, Fourth Georgia Cavalry;
Lieutenant-Colonel [A. H.] McCormick, Second Florida
Cavalry; Major R. B.] Thomas, inspector-general and
acting chief of artillery; Maj.[R. B.] Brevard, First
Battalion Partisan Rangers; Major[Robert] Harrison,
Second Florida Cavalry; Major [J. C.] McDonald, Fourth
Georgia Cavalry; Captain [Edwin] West, First Special
Battalion; Captains [John] Westcott, [Samuel W.] Mays, P.
B. Bird, and J. Q. Stewart, of Brevard's battalion of
Partisan Rangers, and Lieutenant Tucker, commanding
company from camp of instruction, and his officers and
men.

On the succeeding day (the 26th
instant) I placed early in the morning a strong force of
infantry, with a battery of artillery, under Major
Brevard, First Battalion Partisan Rangers, under cover
some woods to the right of where the enemy were posted on
the 25th instant, with the design of getting in their
rear should they again venture out. During the day
information reached me that they were out in force, and I
again marched to meet them, with the intention of cutting
them off, but they retired before we got near them.

On the night of the 26th [instant] they
were out in some force attempting to destroy the railroad
track about 1 mile from town. Lieutenant Buckman was
again ordered with the rifled 32-pounder and an infantry
support to drive them in. This he accomplished with a few
rounds. On each succeeding day I posted a large body of
infantry under cover for the purpose of cutting off any
force that might come out; but the enemy kept closely
within their lines in the suburbs of the town and under
the immediate fire of their gunboats and batteries.

On Sunday, the 29th instant, while
reconnoitering the town from a position on the river, I
discovered it was on fire in several places and that the
transports were being loaded with troops. I immediately
conjectured that the enemy were leaving, and pressed on
into the town, arriving just after the departure of the
last gunboat. I found the town in great part consumed,
but succeeded in extinguishing the fire in some valuable
buildings. There were evidences of precipitate departure
by the enemy, and some quartermaster's stores were left
by them, which were taken and turned over to the proper
officers.

I regret to report that on the night of
the 27th instant Lieutenant [O. F.] Braddock, of Captain
[John] Westcott's company Partisan Rangers, who had
obtained, through the solicitation of his officers,
permission to proceed to the east bank of the Saint
John's River to bring across the wives and children of
men in the service who were there destitute and exposed
to the outrages of the negro troops of the enemy, after
having crossed the river, some 12 miles above my camp,
and met the wagons sent by his captain to convey the
women and children, was captured, with 15 men, 2 wagons,
and 8 mules, by a three of the enemy under Col.
Montgomery. The mules were recovered by a force which I
sent in pursuit, but the wagons were burned by the enemy
and the women and children carried off. I have ordered
the arrest of this officer (who subsequently escaped from
his captors), and will ask for his trial by court-martial
whenever the proper witnesses can be produced. The
fortifications erected by the enemy around Jacksonville
were formidable. I desire to bring to the notice of the
commanding general in the highest terms of praise the
conduct and services of both officers and men of the
command in the recent operations, and herewith transmit a
copy of General Orders, No. 12, issued by me, to which I
beg to refer the commanding general for special mention
of instances of individual merit. I will, however, here
mention as prominently entitled to consideration the
services and conduct of Lieut. T. E. Buckman, chief of
ordnance on my staff, a most accomplished, brave,
ingenious, and energetic officer, and Privates Francis
Soule, of Captain West's company, First Special
Battalion, and James Chestnut, of Captain Chambers'
company, Second Florida Cavalry; also Capts. W. E.
Chambers and Winston Stephens of the Second Florida
Cavalry, and their officers and men.

I have ascertained that the enemy's
force in Jacksonville was as follows: Eighth Maine, 1,100
strong; Sixth Connecticut, 800 strong (whites); First
South Carolina Volunteers (black troops), commanded by
Col. T. W. Higginson, a full regiment, estimated from 900
to 1,500; Second South Carolina Volunteers (blacks),
Colonel Montgomery commanding, not full. I have the honor
to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOS. FINEGAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Brig. Gen.
THOMAS JORDAN, Chief of Staff, Charleston, S.C. O.R.--
SERIES I--VOLUME XIV

The call back to Southeast Georgia

Colonel Clinch returned to Southeast Georgia with his men that
had been assigned to the Jacksonville operations by the first of
April. The 4th Georgia Cavalry would remain in the
Southeastern region of Georgia for the rest of 1863. During 1863
the regiment had maintained a headquarters camp at Waynesville.
Colonel Clinch kept individual companies at various camps located
closer to the coast and maintained several picketed posts along
the coast. In June, the 4th Georgia is listed as part
of General Mercer's command, General Taliaferro's Brigade, Colonel
Gordon's Cavalry:

Correspondence, Orders, And Returns
Relating To Operations On The Coasts Of South Carolina
And Georgia, And In Middle And East Florida, From June 12
To December 31, 1863.CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#4
DISTRICT OF GEORGIA. Brig. Gen. H. W. MERCER.TALIAFERRO'S
BRIGADE.

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS
RELATING TO OPERATIONS ON THE COASTS OF SOUTH CAROLINA
AND GEORGIA, AND IN MIDDLE AND EAST FLORIDA, FROM JUNE 12
TO DECEMBER 31, 1863, CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE,
ETC.--#13 DISTRICT OF GEORGIA, Brig. Gen. H. W. MERCER.

Following the engagements in the Jacksonville area, members of
the 4th Georgia Cavalry we found scouting the area
near Brunswick Captain Hazzard details actions taken against the
Union Army that had come ashore on 8 June 1863. Lieutenant Grant
is mentioned several times for his gallantry as are sergeants
Taylor and Burney and Corporals Foreman, Lamb, and Hazzard.

GENERAL: I have the honor to forward,
for the information of the commanding general, a copy of
a report received from Captain Hazzard, of the
Fourth Georgia Cavalry. I desire particularly to direct the
attention of the commanding general to the good conduct
of Lieutenant Grant and detachment. Very respectfully,
your obedient servant, H. W. MERCER, Brigadier-General,
Commanding,.

COLONEL: Yours of this day's date,
notifying me that Brigadier-General Mercer desired a
report of the affair at Brunswick on 8th of June, has
been received. On the morning of the 8th couriers reached
camp about 10 o'clock with information that two gunboats
and one transport towing two large boats loaded with
troops had started from Saint Simon's Island in the
direction of Brunswick. Previous information justified
the belief that a temporary landing in Brunswick would be
attempted. I therefore hastened to that point with the
remainder of my command and reached there about 10:30.
Soon after leaving camp the heavy boom of cannon gave
assurance that Sergeants J. W. Taylor and Alexander
Burney, with the Brunswick pickets, had disputed a
landing. The firing was incessant for about three
quarters of an hour, when the boats withdrew. Upon their
approach these two gallant young officers assembled their
pickets upon the edge of the bluff near the old wharf,
and in a lying position gave them many well-directed
rounds at a distance of about 150 yards. This picket was
aided by men from two other posts. Corporal A E Foreman,
Corporal Lamb, and Corporal T E Hazzard, when they saw
the boats leave Saint Simon's Island, hastened with all
the men they could spare to their assistance.

Soon after arriving in Brunswick with
the remainder of my command the boats ascended the river.
Fearing for the safety of the salt-works, some 7 miles up
the river, and thinking it might only be for the purpose
of drawing us from Brunswick, I ordered Lieutenant Grant
with the detachments of Sergeants Taylor and Burney and
such other men as I could spare, numbering in all some
30, to select a good position and dispute every attempt
at landing and not to fire until a good chance presented
itself, while I hastened with the remainder of the
command to the salt-works. Upon reaching the works I
found one boat lying at the mouth of the creek leading to
them, while the other was returning to Brunswick, and as
soon as the return boat reached Brunswick they Opened a
rapid fire. After firing some fifty shots the one
threatening the salt works returned and joined the other
at Brunswick. The firing became heavy.

I hastened back, but the jaded
condition of my horses did not allow me to reach them
before both boats had well-nigh exhausted their efforts
at driving Lieutenant Grant from his position. I cannot
speak in too high terms of the gallant conduct of the men
subjected to this heavy cannonade, frequently at not more
than 150 yards; their conduct is particularly commendable
owing to the fact that their fire was reserved. I also
take pleasure in calling attention to the forethought and
gallantry displayed by Lieutenant Grant, Sergeants Taylor
and Burney, and Corporals Foreman, Lamb, and Hazzard.
Their promptness in assisting the Brunswick picket added
much in deceiving the enemy in regard to our strength.

After this effort the largest boat,
which was recognized as the blockader, returned to the
sound, whilst the others again ascended the river.
Thinking the salt-works and the railroad bridge the
points of attack, I withdrew Lieutenant Grant's
detachment and hastened them to the salt-works, while a
squad, under the guidance of Mr. Julian Burnett, who had
that day shouldered his gun and volunteered his services,
hastened to the bridge. Upon nearing the bridge, which
was out of rifle-range, Mr. Burnett perceived the vandals
had fired it, and no sooner were our men discovered than
they commenced a rapid retreat to their gunboat in a
barge.

To get a shot at them Mr. Burnett
conducted the squad to a point which the barge was forced
to pass at a distance of about 100 yards, but which
brought them within about 200 yards of the gunboat and
transport, which by this time had taken position in rear
of the gunboat. As the barge passed the squad poured a
well-directed volley into it; 2 officers fell and 3
oarsmen appeared wounded. A second round made the
remainder of the crew cease rowing until the boat had
drifted out of range. The gunboat then opened fire, also
their sooty allies on the transport. After many harmless
rounds the boats returned to the salt-works at about
sunset and came to.

Supposing their object was to make a
night attack, I divided my command, placing detachments
respectively under command of Lieutenants Scarlett, R. S.
Pyles, and H. F. Grant, who carefully watched their
movements until morning. No further efforts were made at
a raid, and both boats returned to the sound. We lost one
horse during the day from a grape-shot, but were blessed
in losing no one; not even a wound was inflicted. A few
days after, from the accidental bursting of a shell, we
lost the heroic Sergeant Burney.

[Endorsement] JULY 6, 1863. Mention in
orders the activity and foresight of Captain Hazzard and
gallantry of Lieutenant Grant and command. G. T. B.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XIV

From Confederate Military History, Volume 6, Chapter IX, we
have this account of Captain Hazzard:

On June 8, 1863, two United States
gunboats, and one transport towing two large boats loaded
with troops, started from St. Simon's island in the
direction of Brunswick. The landing was disputed by
Sergts. J. W. Taylor and Alexander Burney, with the
Brunswick pickets, and after incessant firing for about
three-quarters of an hour the boats withdrew. When Corp.
A. E. Foreman, Corporal Lamb and Corp. T. E. Hazzard saw
the boats leave St. Simon's island, they had hastened
with all the men they could spare and greatly aided
Taylor and Burney in repelling the enemy.
Capt. W. W.
Hazzard, Company G, Fourth Georgia cavalry (Col. D. L.
Clinch), seeing two boats ascend the river, and
fearing for the safety of the salt works some seven miles
up, ordered Lieutenant Grant, with detachments from
Sergeants Taylor and Burney and such other men as he
could spare, about 30 in all, to take a good position and
dispute every attempt at landing, while he hastened with
the remainder of his command to the salt works. He found
one boat lying at the mouth of the creek leading to the
works, and another going back to Brunswick. After firing
about fifty shots, the one threatening the salt works
returned and joined the other at Brunswick Upon the
repulse of the Federals the largest boat returned to the
sound, while the others again ascended the river. The
detachment under Lieutenant Grant was now hurried to the
salt works, while a squad under the guidance of Julian
Burnett, who had that day shouldered his gun and
volunteered his services, hastened to the railroad
bridge. This had just been fired by a party of the enemy,
who retreated to their barge on the approach of the
Confederates. The latter being conducted by Mr. Burnett
to a point which the barge was obliged to pass, poured a
well-directed fire into it at a distance of about 100
yards. Two officers fell, and three oarsmen appeared
wounded. As the gunboats returned to the neighborhood of
the salt works,
Captain Hazzardplaced detachments
under Lieutenants Scarlett, R. S. Pyles and H. F. Grant
to watch the movements of the enemy. The Federals,
however, made no further efforts and both boats returned
to the sound. The Confederates lost one horse from a
grapeshot; but not a man was wounded. It was reported
that the enemy lost three killed, one officer severely
and others slightly wounded. A few days later, Sergeant
Burney was killed by the accidental bursting of a shell.
The activity and foresight of Captain Hazzard and
the gallantry of Lieutenant Grant and command were
mentioned in official orders.

General Mercer reports the capture of the CSA Atlanta in
Warsaw sound. The 4th Georgia Cavalry serving as
scouts helped supply General Mercer with information of the
incidents and of the reinforcement by the union army at St.
Simon'
s Island. Forces in the area are reduced and Mercer
expressed concern with their ability to defend this point.

JUNE 17, 1863.---Capture of the
Confederate States Steamer Atlanta (Fingal), in Warsaw
Sound, Ga. No. 2.--Report of Brig. Gen. H. W. Mercer, C.
S. Army, commanding Military District of Georgia.
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF GEORGIA, Savannah, June
17, 1863.

GENERAL: I have the honor to report to
the commanding general that the Confederate States
steamer Atlanta (Fingal) surrendered to the Abolitionists
at 7 a.m. this day. The Atlanta proceeded to Warsaw Sound
to attack two monitors which arrived there several days
since. Captain [J. S.] Kennard, C. S. Navy, who witnessed
the meeting at a distance of 2 miles, reports that the
Atlanta fired only four shots. She appeared to be aground
at the time, and the enemy at once took possession. It is
surmised that the crew mutinied and overpowered the
officers. Colonel D. L. Clinch, commanding Fourth
Georgia Cavalry, reports that the Abolitionists are
landing a large force on Saint Simon's Island. He thinks
that cavalry or artillery constitute a part of the force,
and that a very serious incursion is intended. I shall
use every effort to repel the invaders, but, as the
general is aware, my force is much reduced and my means
small. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W.
MERCER, Brigadier-General, Commanding. O.R.-- SERIES
I--VOLUME XXX/1

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS
RELATING SPECIALLY TO THE OPERATIONS ON THE COASTS OF
SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND MIDDLE AND EAST FLORIDA FROM
APRIL 12, 1862, TO JUNE 11, 1863. CONFEDERATE
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#14DISTRICT OF GEORGIA.
Brig. Gen. H. W. MERCER commanding. UNATTACHED.
Savannah River Batteries and other defenses.

Correspondence, Orders, And Returns
Relating To Operations On The Coasts Of South Carolina
And Georgia, And In Middle And East Florida, From June 12
To December 31, 1863. CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE,
ETC.--#18 DISTRICT OF GEORGIA. Brig. Gen. H. W. MERCER.

CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS
RELATING SPECIALLY TO THE OPERATIONS ON THE COASTS OF
SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND MIDDLE AND EAST FLORIDA FROM
APRIL 12, 1862, TO JUNE 11, 1863. CONFEDERATE
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#19 UNATTACHED. Savannah River
Batteries and other defenses.

One interesting sidelight of the regimental history is found
following the Battle of Olustee. Clinch's Artillery company was
authorized by of the Secretary of War and was to be organized
from the dismounted men of the 4th Georgia Volunteer Cavalry
regiment. In the fall of 1863, Clinch moved his headquarters to a
camp near Screven. Nearly100 dismounted men of the regiment were
transferred to a new unit formed under Captain N.B. Clinch.
Captain Clinch, the adjutant of the 4th Georgia
Cavalry at the time, was born in 1832. He was the youngest
brother of Duncan Clinch Jr., the commander of the Cavalry
regiment. This "Clinch Light Artillery company" then
moved to the vicinity of Savannah from which time its mission and
locations were separate from that of the 4th Georgia
Cavalry regiment from which it was detached. The artillery
company had been manned by details from the cavalry regiment
since February 1863, but the organization was not completed until
the election of officers on 1 December 1863.Their pay remained
the same as if they were a cavalry unit, which members were
compensated for furnishing their own horses and equipment The
artillery company of the younger Clinch, formerly part of the 4th
Georgia Cavalry saw service primarily in defense of established
fortifications around Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah,
Georgia, including: Siege Operations on Morris Island, Forts
Gregg, Wagner, and Sumter in the vicinity of Charleston, from 10
July 1863 to 7 September1863 and assault on Fort Wagner on 18
July 1863. A detachment of the company also participated in the
night attack on Fort Sumter, 8 September 1863, the Siege of
Savannah, from 10 December to 21 December 1864 and the capture of
Fort McAllister, 13 December 1864. When Fort McAllister was over
run by the Union army, the majority of the members of this
artillery company were captured or killed. It is reported that
when the defenders of Fort McAllister were in fierce hand to hand
fighting at the earthen works, Captain Clinch suffered nine
wounds in the fight. One wound was from a gunshot, another from a
bayonet, and seven others from sabers. Captain Clinch was
captured by General Sherman's assault troops and survived.

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA, AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM JANUARY 1 TO
FEBRUARY 29, 1864.--#2 HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA,
GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA, Charleston, S.C., January 23, 1864.
Maj. C. J. HARRIS, Commandant of Conscripts. State of
Georgia:

MAJOR: In answer to your communication
asking for the "aggregate present and absent"
of the commands from the State of Georgia in this
department, I am directed by the commanding general to
report as follows:

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA, AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM JANUARY 1 TO FEBRUARY 29, 1864.--# DISTRICT OF GEORGIA.Brig. Gen. HUGH
W. MERCER.

On to Olustee

The 4th Georgia Cavalry was called into battle ready action in
early 1864. The regiment was next engaged at the battles and
campaign in and around Olustee, Florida, February 1864. Colonel
Clinch was ordered to support the meager Confederate forces in
northern Florida. Research indicates that Clinch's command
contributed 250 of its nominal strength of 933 men. Apparently,
the remainder of the regiment again stayed in their camps and
pickets on the Georgia coast under the command of Lieutenant
Colonel Harris. Clinch and his men left on horse-back from
Screven, and the out camps by mid-February. They sent their
artillery and other equipment to Florida via the rails to
Valdosta, where it was shipped by wagon to the railroad at
Madison, Florida. The troop and their equipment were reunited
somewhere west of Olustee. The 4th Georgia Cavlary
arrived in Olustee by 17 February 1864. Detachments from the
Fourth Georgia cavalry were on duty in this locality to strike
the enemy in an advance from Palatka to Orange Springs, at that
time a "city of refuge" for families who had been
driven from their homes on the St. John's river. At the battle on
20 February, Colonel Clinch was badly wounded in the leg. Captain
Brown of Company C assumed command of the regiment when Colonel
Clinch was retired from the field

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the
following report of the part taken by the Cavalry Brigade
in the late engagement near Ocean Pond the 20th instant:

On the morning of the 20th, it being
reported that the enemy were advancing from the direction
of Sanderson, I received orders from the
brigadier-general commanding to advance and meet them for
the purpose of ascertaining their position and number. I
accordingly moved out with all the cavalry force then
available, which consisted of 250 men of the Fourth
Georgia Cavalry (Colonel Clinch commanding)
and of 202 men of the Second Florida Cavalry
(Lieutenant-Colonel McCormick commanding). I discovered
the enemy about 4 miles distant from our encampment,
occupying in force the second crossing of the railroad
from Olustee. I immediately reported the fact to you and
directed Colonel Clinch to advance a body of
skirmishers from his regiment to attack the enemy's
pickets, which he did promptly, and was pushing the
attack earnestly when they were met by a much larger
force from the enemy, which compelled them to retire to
their horses. This they did in good order.

The enemy then moved forward with his
whole force, skirmishing on our rear, which we resisted
with our rear guard, keeping him in check, while the
cavalry retired in line and in perfect order. This
skirmishing was kept up until we reached the first
crossing of the railroad from Olustee. There I found our
infantry and artillery under the command of
Brigadier-General Colquitt, from whom I received orders
to dispose the cavalry on the right and left wings of our
army to prevent any flank movement of the enemy. I
accordingly ordered Colonel Clinch to occupy the
left with his regiment, and Lieutenant Colonel McCormick,
with the Second Florida Cavalry, to take position on the
right. Early in the action Colonel Clinch received
a severe wound in the leg, which made it necessary for
him to retire from the field, and the command of his
regiment then devolved upon Captain Brown, who
kept an efficient guard on the left flank while
Lieutenant-Colonel McCormick protected the right.

On two occasions I discovered that the
enemy was attempting to cross the railroad on the right
of our infantry, evidently for the purpose of turning
that wing, when I directed Lieutenant-Colonel McCormick
to dismount a portion of his regiment and drive them
back, which he did effectually. Thus by the vigilance of
the cavalry on the right and left the enemy was prevented
from deploying his large force so as to turn either
flank. The Fifth Florida Cavalry Battalion (Maj. G. W.
Scott commanding) was not brought upon the field until
late in the evening, in consequence of the jaded
condition of the men and horses from hard service for the
twenty-four hours preceding. He, however, joined with
Lieutenant-Colonel McCormick on the right about the
middle of the contest and rendered him prompt assistance.
The fight terminating at night, and our infantry lines
not being perceptible to me through the woods, and the
face of the country being cut up by swamps, making it
very favorable for ambushing under the cover of night, I
deemed it unadvisable to press forward with the whole
cavalry force until further information could be had of
the position of affairs. In addition to this, after the
order to move forward was being executed another order
was received to the effect that we were getting under the
fire of our men, and also that I should beware of an
ambush.

I attached the more importance to this
order because it had already been discovered that a large
body of the enemy's cavalry were resting on the opposite
side of a swamp from us. The cavalry, however, as soon as
possible followed up the enemy and gathered a number of
prisoners, amounting to about 150. In addition to this
several prisoners were taken by Lieutenant-Colonel
McCormick and Major Scott while protecting the right
flank. I have to report that Colonel Clinch and 3 men of
the Fourth Georgia Cavalry were wounded. One of
the wounded men is missing, and supposed now to be dead.
It is due to the companies of Captains Stephens and
Maxwell, of the second Florida Cavalry, to state that
the conduct of the men and officers, while acting as the
rear guard of the cavalry as we were falling back before
the enemy, was highly satisfactory. They behaved with the
coolness and deliberation of veterans. I have the honor
to be, captain, your obedient servant, CARAWAY SMITH,
Colonel, Commanding Cavalry Brigade O.R.-- SERIES
I--VOLUME XXXV/1

From Confederate Military History Volume 11, Chapter IV,

Colonel Caraway Smith, commanding
cavalry, gave the following account of the service of his
troops: "On the morning of the 20th, it being
reported that the enemy were advancing from the direction
of Sanderson, I received orders from the
brigadier-general commanding to advance and meet them for
the purpose of ascertaining their position and number. I
accordingly moved out with all the cavalry force then
available, which consisted of 250 men, Fourth Georgia
cavalry, Colonel Clinch commanding, and 202 men of
the Second Florida cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel
McCormick. I discovered the enemy about four miles
distant from our encampment, occupying in force the
second crossing of the railroad from Olustee. I reported
the fact to you immediately and directed Colonel
Clinch to advance a body of skirmishers from his
regiment to attack the enemy's pickets, which he did
promptly and was pushing the attack earnestly when they
were met by a much larger force from the enemy, which
compelled them to retire to their horses. This they did
in good order. The enemy then moved forward with his
whole force, skirmishing on our rear, which we resisted
with our rear guard, keeping him in check, while the
cavalry retired in line and in perfect order. This
skirmishing was kept up until we reached the first
crossing of the railroad from Olustee. There I found our
infantry and artillery under the command of
Brigadier-General Colquitt, from whom I received orders
to dispose of the cavalry on the right and left wings of
our army, to prevent any flank movement of the enemy. I
accordingly ordered
Colonel Clinch to occupy the
left with his regiment and Lieutenant-Colonel McCormick
with the Second Florida cavalry to take position on the
right. Early in the action
Colonel Clinch received
a severe wound in the leg which made it necessary for him
to retire from the field and the command of his regiment
then devolved upon Captain Brown, who kept an efficient
guard on the left flank while Lieutenant-Colonel
McCormick protected the right. On two occasions I
discovered that the enemy was attempting to cross the
railroad on the right of our infantry, evidently for the
purpose of turning that wing, when I directed
Lieutenant-Colonel McCormick to dismount a portion of his
regiment and drive him back, which he did effectually.
Thus by the vigilance of the cavalry on the right and
left, the enemy was prevented from deploying his large
force so as to turn either flank. The Fifth Florida
cavalry battalion, commanded by Maj. G. W. Scott, was not
brought upon the field until late in the evening, in
consequence of the jaded condition of the men and horses
from hard service for the twenty hours preceding. He,
however, joined Lieutenant-Colonel McCormick on the
right, about the middle of the contest, and rendered him
prompt assistance. The fight terminating at night and our
infantry lines not being perceptible to me through the
woods, and the face of the country being cut up by
swamps, making it very favorable for ambushing under
cover of night, I deemed it inadvisable to push forward
with the whole cavalry force until further information
could be had of the position of affairs. In addition to
this, after the order to move forward was being executed,
another order was received to the effect that we were
getting under the fire of our men and also that I should
beware of an ambush. I attached the more importance to
this order because it had already been discovered that a
large body of the enemy's cavalry were resting on the
opposite side of a swamp from us. The cavalry, however,
as soon as possible followed up the enemy and gathered a
number of prisoners, amounting to about 150. In addition
to this, several prisoners were taken by
Lieutenant-Colonel McCormick and Major Scott while
protecting the right flank.

"I have to report that Colonel Clinch and three
men of the Fourth Georgia cavalry
were wounded. One of the wounded men is missing and
supposed to be dead. It is due to the companies of
Captains Stephens and Maxwell, of the Second Florida
cavalry, to state that the conduct of the men and
officers while acting as the rear guard of the cavalry,
as we were falling back before the enemy, was highly
satisfactory. They behaved with the coolness and
deliberation of veterans."

FEBRUARY 5-22, 1864.--The Florida
Expedition. No. 17.--Reports of Brig. Gen. Joseph
Finegan, C. S. Army, commanding District of East Florida.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF EAST FLORIDA, In the
Field, 12 miles from Jacksonville, February 26, 1864.

GENERAL: For the information of the
commanding general I have the honor to report that on the
evening of February 7 the enemy landed at Jacksonville,
from eighteen transports and gun-boats, a large force of
cavalry, artillery, and infantry, which was largely
augmented by arrivals on the 8th instant. On the receipt
of this intelligence I immediately notified
Lieutenant-Colonel McCormick, commanding an effective
force of near 350 men, of all arms, at Camp Finegan, to
guard against a surprise, advising him that I would join
the command as soon as I had issued the necessary orders
for collecting my widely scattered troops and dispatched
telegrams and letters for reinforcements.

On the night of the 8th instant, the
enemy advanced from Jacksonville with great rapidity in
three heavy columns, cavalry in the advance, artillery
and infantry following, under command of
Brigadier-General Seymour. They approached Camp Finegan
as the command there were in the act of retiring. Their
largely superior numbers deterred Lieutenant-Colonel McCormick,
commanding, from attacking them, and in the darkness of
the night he withdrew his command with caution and
address and joined me at Camp Beauregard, near Ocean
Pond, on the Olustee, on the 13th instant. The enemy with
celerity pressed on to Baldwin, capturing on their way 5
guns of Companies A and B, Milton Light Artillery, which
had been ordered to Baldwin. Reached Baldwin at daylight
on the 9th instant. Remaining a short time, they
continued on to Barber's the same night. At this point
they were met on the 10th instant by two companies of
cavalry under Maj. Robert Harrison, Second Florida
Cavalry, whom I had ordered to join me, and who, with
much gallantry, checked their progress for several hours
at the Saint Mary's Crossing, with but small loss to us
and a considerable loss to the enemy.

On the 9th instant, I removed all the
Government stores from Sanderson, except 1,500 bushels
corn, which was burned under my orders. On the 10th, the
enemy reached Sanderson.

On the 11th instant, they were within 3
miles of Lake City. Here I had hastily collected,
principally from the District of Middle Florida, a small
force of 490 infantry, 110 cavalry, and two pieces of
artillery. On the night of the 10th, I placed this force
in a favorable position, 2? miles from Lake City, in the
direction of the enemy. At 9.30 the enemy advanced upon
us with a force estimated to be 1,400 mounted infantry
and five pieces of artillery. Here they opened upon us,
fighting as infantry, and skirmished heavily with my
advance line. Discovering my position and its strength,
and probably presuming my force larger than it was, they
retreated to Sanderson, thence to Barber's, on the east
bank of the Saint Mary's, where they constructed
field-works and concentrated their whole force for a
final movement on Lake City. In the mean time I used
every possible effort to gather reinforcements, and on
the 13th, moved to Ocean Pond, on Olustee, 13 miles from
Lake City, and occupied the only strong position between
Lake City and Barber's. Here I had field-works thrown up,
and for several days, with a force less than 2,000
strong, awaited the enemy's advance.

In this time my command was increased
by the arrival of reinforcements, and I organized the
command as follows: The Sixth, Nineteenth, Twenty-third,
Twenty-seventh, and Twenty-eighth Georgia Regiments
Infantry and Sixth Florida Battalion Infantry, as the
First Brigade, under the command of Brigadier-General
Colquitt, with the Chatham Artillery (four guns)
attached. The Thirty-second Georgia Volunteers, First
Georgia Regulars, Sixty-fourth Georgia Volunteers,
First Florida Battalion, and Bonaud's
battalion, as the Second Brigade, under command of Col.
George P. Harrison, Thirty-second Georgia Volunteers,
with Guerard's light battery attached, the Florida Light
Artillery being held in reserve. I assigned Col. R. B.
Thomas, C. S. Army, to duty as chief of artillery, and
organized the cavalry into a brigade, under the command
of Col. Caraway Smith, Second Florida Cavalry, my whole
effective force being as follows: Infantry, 4,600;
cavalry, less than 600; artillery, 3 batteries--twelve
guns.

On the 20th instant, the enemy advanced
in three columns, since ascertained to have been twelve
regiments of infantry (nine of white troops and three of
black), estimated at 8,000, and some artillery (number of
guns unknown), and 1,400 cavalry. At 12 m., the enemy
were within 3 miles of my position. I ordered the
cavalry, under Col. C. Smith, Second Florida Cavalry,
supported by the Sixty-fourth Georgia, Colonel Evans
commanding, and two companies of the Thirty-second
Georgia, to advance and skirmish with the enemy and draw
them to our works. The remaining force was placed under
arms and prepared for action. Apprehending that the enemy
was too cautious to approach our works, I ordered
Brigadier-General Colquitt, commanding First Brigade, to
advance with three of his regiments and a section of
Gamble's artillery, and assume command of the entire
force then ordered to the front and feel the enemy by
skirmishing, and if he was not in too heavy force to
press him heavily. I had previously instructed Colonel
Smith, commanding cavalry, to fall back as our infantry
advanced and protect their flanks. This movement was
predicated on the information that the enemy had only
three regiments of infantry, with some cavalry and
artillery. Perceiving that in this movement the force
under Brigadier-General Colquitt's command might become
too heavily engaged to withdraw without a large
supporting force, and intending that if the enemy should
prove to be in not too great strength to engage them, I
ordered in quick succession, within the space of an hour,
the whole command to advance to the front as a supporting
force, and myself went upon the field. These
reinforcement's were pushed rapidly forward, and, as
I anticipated, reached the field at the moment when the
line was most heavily pressed, and at a time when their
presence gave confidence to our men and discouragement to
the enemy. I directed Lieutenant-Colonel Hopkins,
commanding First Florida Battalion, and Major Bonaud, commanding
Bonaud's battalion, to fall into line on the left in the
direction of the enemy's heaviest firing. After I had
ordered these reinforcements, and they were some distance
on the way to the front, and while I was myself on the
way to the front, I received from Brigadier-General
Colquitt, commanding in the front, a request for the
reinforcements which had already been ordered. The
engagement became general very soon after its
commencement. The enemy were found in heavy force, their
infantry drawn up in three supporting lines, their
artillery in position, cavalry on their flanks and rear.
I ordered Brigadier-General Colquitt to press them with
vigor, which he did with much judgment and gallantry.
They contested the ground stubbornly, and the battle
lasted for four and a half hours. At the end of this
time, the enemy's lines having been broken and reformed
several times, and two fine Napoleon and three 10-pounder
Parrott guns and one set of colors captured from them,
they gave way entirely, and were closely pressed for 3
miles until night-fall. I directed Brigadier-General
Colquitt to continue the pursuit, intending to occupy
Sanderson that night; but in deference to his suggestion
of the fatigue of the troops, the absence of rations, and
the disadvantages of the pursuit in the dark, and in
consequence of a report from an advanced cavalry picket
that the enemy had halted for the night and taken a
position (which was subsequently ascertained to be
incorrect), I withdrew the order. During the continuance
of the battle, also after the enemy had given way, I sent
repeated orders to Colonel Smith, commanding cavalry, to
press the enemy on his flanks and to continue in the
pursuit. But through some misapprehension these orders
failed to be executed by him, and only two small
companies on the left, and these but for a short
distance, followed the enemy. The enemy retreated that
night, hastily and in some confusion, to Sanderson,
leaving a large number of their killed and wounded in our
possession on the field. Their loss in killed, both
officers and men, was large. Four hundred and eighteen of
their wounded were removed by us from the field, and 400,
or near that number, of their killed were buried by us;
also nearly 200 prisoners were captured; several officers
of high rank were killed and others severely wounded.
Their loss cannot be less than 2,000 or 2,500 men, 5
superior guns, I set of colors captured, and 1,600 stand
of arms; also 130,000 rounds cartridges (damaged by
having been thrown into water), as appears by the report
of the ordnance officer, herewith enclosed. The victory
was complete and the enemy retired in rapid retreat,
evacuating in quick succession Barber's and Baldwin, and
falling back on Jacksonville. The enemy's forces were
under command of Brig. Gen. T. Seymour, who was present
on the field.

The conduct of Brigadier-General
Colquitt entitles him to high commendation. He exhibited
ability in the formation of his line and gallantry in his
advance on the enemy. I have also to speak most favorably
of Col. George P. Harrison, commanding Second Brigade,
who exhibited in the engagement all the qualities of a
capable and efficient officer. Col. R. B. Thomas, as
chief of artillery, likewise rendered efficient service
on the field. Colonel Evans, commanding Sixty-fourth
Georgia Volunteers, and Col. Duncan L. Clinch, commanding
Fourth Georgia Cavalry, were wounded while bravely
performing their duty. Lieutenant-Colonel Barrow,
Sixty-fourth Georgia Volunteers, and Captain Cannon,
commanding, and Lieutenant Dancy, of the First Georgia
Regulars; also Lieutenant Holland, commanding detachment
from conscript camp, all officers of high promise, were
killed. Among the killed and wounded were many other
officers and men who had distinguished themselves on
other fields, for a detailed statement of whom, and for
instances of individual merit, I refer to the reports of
the brigade commanders. Our loss in the engagement was 93
killed and 841 wounded, a large proportion very slightly.
In the opening of the engagement the cavalry, under
command of Colonel Smith, skirmished with the enemy with
spirit and retired to the flanks in obedience to their
orders. On the 22d instant, having repaired the railroad
so as to secure my supplies, I advanced the command to
Sanderson, pushing the cavalry rapidly in the direction
of the enemy, and from Sanderson to Barber's, and thence
to Baldwin and to this place, 12 miles from Jacksonville,
where my further progress was arrested by orders from
Brigadier-General Gardner, who had been directed to
assume command, by whom I was here for the first time
officially notified that the command had been
transferred. My efforts and those of my officers for the
organization and concentration of a force adequate to
meet the enemy's superior numbers, and to check them in
their rapid advance, were incessant and arduous. I have
the gratification of reporting to the commanding general
that while I continued in command they were successful. I
transfer the army to my successor well supplied with
forage and subsistence, well organized and armed, and
deficient only in ordnance stores, for which timely
requisitions were made, and which are now on their way.
Respectfully submitted. JOSEPH FINEGAN,
Brigadier-General, Commanding. O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME
XXXV/1

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#6 DISTRICT OF GEORGIA. Brig. Gen.
HUGH W. MERCER.

From Confederate Military History Volume 11, Chapter V, it is
noted that:

General Beauregard issued special
orders for disposition of forces 5 March 1864,
transferring the Twenty-sixth Virginia regiment from
Finegan's brigade to that commanded by Col. George P.
Harrison, Jr.; the Fifty-ninth Virginia regiment from
Harrison's brigade to Finegan's; the First Georgia
regulars from Finegan's brigade to Colquitt's; and Capt.
J. J. Dickison was ordered to proceed at once with his
company to Palatka and resume his post there, and the
commanding officer of the Fourth Georgia cavalry was
directed to hold himself in readiness to support him with
his whole command if necessary.

An aggressive movement being determined
upon, General Finegan was directed to proceed by rail
from Baldwin to Waldo with about 2,500 infantry and six
pieces of artillery; thence by nearest route to Palatka,
which place he was to attack and carry, after which he
was to be governed by circumstances and await further
orders. Between Waldo and Palatka he was to be joined by
Colonel Martin, Sixth Florida battalion, with about 450
infantry, and Lieutenant-Colonel Harris, Fourth Georgia
cavalry, with the same number of cavalry. On account of
the condition of transportation by rail from Baldwin to
Waldo, he was provokingly detained, consuming more hours
than miles traveled, so that when he was to have begun
the assault at Palatka he had not been able to move his
command from Waldo, 38 miles distant. The scouts on the
river bringing in information that a large reinforcement
of infantry and cavalry had arrived at Jacksonville, it
was deemed prudent to recall General Finegan and hold all
their available force to meet any attempt on the part of
the enemy.

On April 13th Lieutenant-Colonel
McCormick was ordered to scout the country on his left
and front, round Broward's neck and Yellow bluff, with
the view of discovering if the enemy was making any
movement from that quarter; and Col. R. H. Anderson,
commanding the cavalry force in front, was directed to
send Captain Dickison's company immediately to Palatka
and take position as formerly and report to
Lieutenant-Colonel Harris, Fourth Georgia cavalry, at
Waldo. Under this special order and information that the
enemy had passed up the river toward Palatka, Company H,
Second Florida cavalry, 145 strong, was sent with all
haste to that point. On their arrival they ascertained
that the enemy had landed with 5,000 men. Captain
Dickison reported to Colonel Harris asking for
reinforcements, and the latter moved his command, about
125 effective men, to Sweetwater branch, 12 miles from
Palatka. Scouts were sent out and reported that the enemy
occupied the town. A detachment of the Fourth Georgia
cavalry was ordered to support Captain Dickison in
driving in the pickets and ascertaining their position
and strength, which was soon accomplished, and three
pickets with their horses captured. Simple as was this
capture, the event was marked by a daring that gave
luster to the heroic deed.

The enemy were strongly fortified and
remained in Palatka nearly six weeks. During this
occupation of the town our cavalry frequently skirmished
with them, and with untiring vigilance awaited results. A
detachment of 16 men under Captain Dickison, on one
occasion was met by a superior force of the enemy, and
after a hot skirmish which lasted forty minutes, holding
their position without giving an inch, the enemy was
reinforced and our men fell back in good order without
loss. The enemy's loss was 5 killed and 8 wounded. A few
days after we drove in their pickets and took position on
the hill overlooking the town. Lieutenant McEaddy was
sent to ascertain the true position of the enemy's
pickets, and a secret night expedition was planned to
capture the post, which proved successful, the entire
guard of 8 men being captured.

Subsequently Colonel Tabb, now in
command at Waldo, ordered Captain Dickison to make a
reconnaissance. This was done and the enemy opened fire
on our advance guard. The firing soon became general; the
enemy sent forward two regiments, one white and one
colored, which were held in check for about four hours.
Night coming on, the enemy withdrew, with a loss of 11
killed and 22 captured. Our troops then retired in good
order without any loss, though the enemy outnumbered them
eight to one. On April 22d, in conveying notice of his
relief by Col. J. M. Martin, Sixth Florida battalion,
Colonel Tabb expressed to Captain Dickison "
the high
appreciation in which you and your command are held. The
faithfulness, promptness and superior judgment which you
have at all times manifested, give assurance of those
soldierly qualities which inspire confidence and command
respect and admiration everywhere."

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#1 SPECIAL ORDERS No. --. HDQRS.
DEPT. S.C., GA., AND FLA., In the field, McGirt's Creek,
Fla., March 5, 1864.

IV. Capt. J. J. Dickison, of the Second
Florida Cavalry, will proceed at once with his company to
Palatka, Fla., and take post there as heretofore. He will
call upon the commanding officer of the Fourth Georgia
Cavalry for such support as may be necessary.

V. The commanding officer of the Fourth
Georgia Cavalry will furnish Capt. J. J. Dickison
with such assistance as he may require for the post of
Palatka, and hold himself in readiness to support Captain
Dickison with his whole command if found necessary. By
command of General Beauregard: HENRY BRYAN, Major and
Assistant Adjutant-General. O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME
XXXV/2

MAJOR: I am instructed by the general
commanding to inform you that the report of Col. Caraway
Smith of the operations of the Cavalry Brigade during the
engagement at Ocean Pond and pursuit the same evening is
not satisfactory, and to direct you to make inquiries in
regard to the same, and report if the orders of superior
officers were carried out by Colonel Smith, and if his
command took such share in the attack on the enemy as
could reasonably be expected under those orders.

I am instructed to communicate to you,
for your attention, the following extracts from official
reports:

First. From Brigadier-General
Finegan's, in regard to the opening of the engagement: I
ordered Brigadier-General Colquitt to advance with three
of his regiments and assume command of the entire force
then ordered to the front. During the continuance of the
battle, also after the enemy had given way, I sent
repeated orders to Colonel Smith, commanding cavalry, to
press the enemy on his flanks and to continue in the
pursuit; but through some misapprehension these orders
failed to be executed by him, and only two small
companies on the left, and these but for a short
distance, followed the enemy.

Second. From Brigadier-General
Colquitt's report, which, having given an account of the
fight, states: We continued the pursuit for several
miles, when night put an end to the conflict.
Instructions were given to the cavalry to follow close
upon the enemy and seize every opportunity to strike a
favorable blow.

Third. Col. Caraway Smith's report,
which, after summing up the fight (and which does not
show that the cavalry made any positive attack after the
fight began), states: Thus by the vigilance of the
cavalry on the right and left the enemy was prevented
from deploying his large force so as to turn either
flank. The Fifth Florida Cavalry Battalion was not
brought upon the field until late in the evening, in
consequence of the jaded condition of the men and horses.

The fighting terminating at night, and
our infantry lines not being perceptible to me through
the woods, and the face of the country being cut up by
swamps, making it very favorable for ambushing under
cover of night, I deemed it unadvisable to press forward
with the whole cavalry until further information could be
had of the position of affairs. In addition to this,
after the order to move forward was being executed
another order was received to the effect that we were
getting under the fire of our men, and also that I should
beware of an ambush. I attached the more importance to
this order because it had already been discovered that a
large body of the enemy's cavalry were resting on the
opposite side of a swamp from us. The commanding general
also directs that you will inquire who gave Colonel Smith
the order that he was getting under the fire of our own
men and to beware of an ambush; also, how it was that our
infantry lines were not perceptible to Colonel Smith at
the termination of the fight, although a large body of
the enemy's cavalry were discovered resting on the
opposite side of a swamp. It is a matter of some surprise
to the commanding general, which you will endeavor to
explain, that the 202 men of the Second Florida Cavalry
should have escaped without a casualty, none being
mentioned in the report; also, that out of the whole
cavalry only I officer and 3 privates were wounded. I am,
sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HENRY
BRYAN, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

P. S.--The commanding general desires
that you will also investigate the following extract from
General Finegan's report: And in consequence of a report
from our advance cavalry picket that the enemy had halted
for the night and taken a position (which was
subsequently ascertained to be incorrect), I withdrew the
order. Very respectfully, &c., HENRY BRYAN, Assistant
Adjutant-General. O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXV/1

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#1 SPECIAL ORDERS No. 2.HDQRS.
MILITARY DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, Camp Milton, March 8, 1864.

V. Col. R. H. Anderson, commanding
cavalry force in the front, will cause Capt. J. J.
Dickison's company (H), Second Cavalry, to move
immediately to Palatka, on the Saint John's River, and
take position as formerly. Further instructions will be
sent him hereafter. He will report to Lieutenant-Colonel
Harris, Fourth Georgia Cavalry, at Waldo, and call
upon him for any support needed. By command of
Major-General Anderson: WM. G. BARTH, Assistant
Adjutant-General. O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXV/2

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#1 HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY. ARMY OF
FLORIDA, March 8, 1864. Capt. W. CALL, A. A. A. G., Mil.
Dist. of Florida, Camp Milton:

CAPTAIN: I have the honor very
respectfully to acknowledge the receipt of the order
requiring Captain Dickison to move with his troops to
Palatka, and to make the following statement to the
major-general commanding:

Captain Dickison's troop was attached
to Major Scott's battalion for special service, and is
now doing important outpost duty. If my command is
weakened I must respectfully request to be relieved from
all responsibility in the event of any surprise or
disaster. I have now only 948 privates for duty to cover
a line 9 miles in length from Hogan's Landing to Trout
Creek, and the men and horses are now being worked to the
utmost. My line is now thinner than I would like to have
it, and I would suggest that, if possible, a troop from
the
Fourth Georgia Cavalry, now at Starke, be
ordered to Palatka in lieu of Dickison's troop. The
necessary guides could be furnished from Dickison's
troop.

One of my scouts, Massey, returned this
afternoon from Saddler's Point. He reports the gun-boat
that went up the river yesterday morning returned in the
afternoon with about the same number of men visible on
deck as when she went up. He heard from a woman (the
mother of one of his scouts) whom he considers very
reliable, who is living in Jacksonville, and who came out
to see him yesterday, that the enemy received
reinforcements on Sunday (day before yesterday) to the
amount of two or three brigades. The enemy are now
repairing the saw-mills and wharves and the buildings in
town, and have opened a good many stores. Mrs. Seymour
and several of the officers' wives have arrived. She also
says that the enemy have masked batteries in front of
Three-Mile Branch, in front of which they have stretched
wire for the purpose of tripping cavalry; also that a
large vessel loaded with supplies was wrecked coming over
the bar some three or four days ago. She says the enemy
say that the expedition was not ordered by Gillmore, but
by Congress and the Secretary of War, and that they are
daily expecting Rosecrans, when another attack or advance
will be made. I am, captain, very respectfully, your
obedient servant, R. H. ANDERSON, Colonel, Commanding.

The Fourth Georgia cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Harris,
was quartered at Waldo, to be ready when necessary to unite with
the cavalry force under Col. R. H. Anderson, who was to operate
upon the right flank of the enemy in case of a general advance of
the enemy upon the front.

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#2 HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF
FLORIDA, Camp Milton, March 13, 1864. Lieutenant-Colonel
HARRIS, Commanding Fourth Georgia. Cavalry, Waldo:

Send following dispatch to Major
Hamilton, quartermaster at Gainesville, by express: Order
train down towards Cedar Keys to bring back by rail
Captain McNeill's company to point nearest Orange
Springs, with the following order to the officer in
command: "Make forced march for protection of Orange
Springs from enemy's boat expedition up the
Ocklawaha." Captain Pearson and others will
cooperate. By command of Maj. Gen. P. Anderson: WM. G.
BARTH, Assistant Adjutant-General. O.R.-- SERIES
I--VOLUME XXXV/2

COLONEL: I am directed by the
major-general commanding to state for your information
and guidance that in case of a general advance of the
enemy upon our front it is very desirable to have the
co-operation of your entire cavalry force. To accomplish
this it will be necessary for you, upon the receipt of
such information in reliable shape, to fall back in the
direction of Baldwin, either by the Middleburg and
Baldwin road or such other road as may accomplish the
march in the shortest time. Your forces will be expected
to operate and unite with the cavalry force on our right
wing, under Col. R. H. Anderson. It will be desirable
that you shall not wait to concentrate your forces before
moving, but will order those forces nearest to Middleburg
and Baldwin to move independently and report as soon as
practicable at the point named, and with the remainder of
the command more distant you will follow. That you may
more readily comprehend the movement, it is explained to
you that the cavalry forces intended to operate upon the
right flank of the army, and with which you will unite
your forces, under Col. R. H. Anderson, commanding
cavalry, will retire, in case of the necessity referred
to, from their present position by the Black Creek road
to its crossing of McGirt's Creek, which it will defend,
and if compelled to retire, then by sending one company
down the Black Creek road, toward its crossing of Black
Creek, to watch any movement of the enemy in that
direction. He will continue to retire by a road leading
from that road to the New River road, and then along its
course upon the right flank of the army in the direction
of Baldwin. The intersection of the Middleburg and
Baldwin road with the New River road, below Low's house,
near the Yellow Water, is the point at which you had best
aim, and from which you can readily unite with Colonel
Anderson. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO.
F. LAY, Major and Assistant Inspector-General.

COLONEL: Send by express to Major
Hamilton, quartermaster at Gainesville, the following
order for Captain Pearson, now en route from Gainesville
to Tampa Bay, to be sent forward in haste:

Repair at once, by shortest route, to
Orange Springs for protection of that point. Enemy
supposed to be advancing up the Ocklawaha River in barges
from Welaka. Other troops are ordered to cooperate with
you. Communicate with and order any troops accessible to
follow after and cooperate with you.By command of Maj.
Gen. P. Anderson: WM. G. BARTH, Assistant
Adjutant-General.

Make an immediate and careful
reconnaissance of the enemy's position at Palatka with a
view to ascertain if he is still in force there and
report the result by telegraph. WM. G. BARTH, Assistant
Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF
FLORIDA,Camp Milton, March 15, 1864. Lieutenant-Colonel
HARRIS,Commanding, Waldo, Fla.:

COLONEL: Your communications of this
date are received and have been submitted to the
major-general commanding. Your course relative to the
expected raid up the Ocklawaha is approved. In the event
of Colonel Anderson's falling back from his present
position, you are expected to join him with all the
cavalry under your command, including Captain Dickison's
company. The general declines acceding to your
proposition relative to sending your dismounted men to
get horses, but will consider special applications in
these cases. In forwarding such applications you will
indorse your opinion as to the probability of the man's
procuring a horse if the furlough is granted. I am,
colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,WM. G.
BARTH, Assistant Adjutant-General.

MAJOR: From reports of scouts and
examination of deserters, the following facts with
reference to the movements of the troops of the enemy in
the direction of Palatka would seem to embody the truth:
That on Wednesday, the 9th of March, 1864, an expedition
left Jacksonville for Palatka, consisting of two
gun-boats and three transport steamers, having aboard
about 1,400 men, constituting three regiments of infantry
(white) and five negro companies, with seven pieces of
field artillery, with horses, &;c., but no cavalry,
the whole force under the command of Colonel Barton.
These troops reached Palatka on Wednesday night or
Thursday morning, and on Friday commenced work on
entrenchments and rifle-pits. One of the gun-boats left,
whether up or down is not positively known.
Lieutenant-Colonel
Harris, on Sunday, March l3, reported a movement in
the direction of Orange Springs, or Silver Springs, to
meet which prompt measures were taken. This report has as
yet not been verified, nor have we any news from the
expedition. Respectfully,JNO. F. LAY, Major and Assistant
Inspector-General. O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXV/2

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#2 SPECIAL ORDERS No. 12.HDQRS.
MILITARY DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, Camp Milton, March 19,
1864.

I. Colonel Tabb, Fifty-ninth Virginia
Regiment, will proceed to Waldo without delay and assume
command of all the troops, either infantry, cavalry, or
artillery, now reporting to
Lieutenant-Colonel Harris,
Fourth Georgia Cavalry, at or near that place.
Colonel Tabb will operate vigorously against the enemy in
that section. He will obstruct the navigation of the
tributaries of the Saint John's by felling timber,
&c., and will use every means at his disposal to
protect the region of country in which he operates from
the incursions of the enemy. Colonel Tabb will
communicate direct with these headquarters, and will
promptly notify the major-general commanding of all
movements of his own troops or those of the enemy. Before
leaving Baldwin he will turn over the command of his
regiment to his second in command. By command of
Major-General Anderson: WM. G. BARTH, Assistant
Adjutant-General.

COLONEL: Your note of the 20th instant,
making inquiry as to movements of Lieutenant-Colonel
Harris' cavalry command in the event of the enemy
advancing from Jacksonville, has been submitted to the
major-general commanding, who directs me to say that
should such a contingency arise the original order will
be strictly carried out. I am, sir, very respectfully,
your obedient servant, WM. G. BARTH,
Assistant
Adjutant-General
O.R.-- SERIES
I--VOLUME XXXV/2

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#5HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF
FLORIDA, Camp Milton, April 15, 1864.Colonel TABB,
Commanding, &c., Waldo:

COLONEL: The movements of the enemy at
Jacksonville indicate a purpose on his part to make a
raid upon some of our communications or depots of supply.
It is believed that his designs are upon the Florida
Railroad and the depots in Marion, Sumter, and Alachua
Counties, which he supposes to contain a considerable
amount of stores. It will be your province to defeat him
in this object in every manner possible with the means at
your control.

For this purpose, in addition to the
regiment and battalion of infantry and the section of
artillery with the Fourth Georgia Cavalry, now
with you, the major-general commanding has ordered to you
another section of Gamble's artillery, 250 cavalry, and
two battalions of infantry. The artillery and cavalry are
now en route for your headquarters, and the infantry will
be sent by rail to Waldo, as soon as the transportation
for that purpose can be obtained. With this force it is
believed you cannot only foil the enemy in his purposes,
but by activity, energy, and skill, can punish him
severely for his temerity, if not capture or destroy the
most of his party. His plans and purposes not having been
fully developed it is not deemed advisable to give you
specific instructions as to your movements and
disposition of forces.

It is supposed that you will keep
yourself fully advised of the enemy's movements in your
front and on your flanks. To do this your vedettes,
pickets, and scouts must be vigilant and active. Your
good judgment will enable you to act intelligently upon
information thus obtained, keeping constantly in view the
main object, viz, to defeat the raid and punish as
severely as possible its projectors. It is possible that
the force at Palatka may move out in your front with a
view of holding your forces in position, while the
raiders do their work on your flanks and rear. Should
this opportunity present itself, and you feel yourself
able to accomplish it by a vigorous attack of this main
force with all your strength, you may defeat it
completely and then the raiders will be at your mercy.

The raiding party which left
Jacksonville is believed to consist of about 400 or 500
mounted infantry, under Col. Guy V. Henry; he perhaps has
a light battery also with him. Some of the men are
provided with picks, crowbars, &c., for the purpose
of destroying the railroad. The major-general commanding
has entire confidence in your skill, energy, and courage
in this important work entrusted to you, and believes
that your success will be equal to his hopes. I am,
colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. G.
BARTH, Assistant Adjutant-General. O.R.-- SERIES
I--VOLUME XXXV/2

The 4th Georgia Cavalry regiment stayed in Florida
under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Harris, who was ordered
from Georgia to Florida after Colonel Clinch's was wounded. They
were noted Georgia at Waldo, Starke, and Palatka locations.

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#5 HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF SOUTH
CAROLINA, &C., April 16, 1864. Maj. Gen. PATTON
ANDERSON, Commanding District of Florida:

GENERAL: I am instructed by the
commanding general to inform you that he has this evening
ordered by telegraph the following commands from your
district to be sent here at once, viz: Colquitt's
brigade, Thirty-second Georgia Regiment, Wheaton's
battery, and Guerard's battery. He has also ordered that
portion of
Clinch's (Fourth Georgia) cavalry now
in your district to report to Major-General Gilmer, at
Savannah, for duty. He further advises that he has
directed Anderson's (Fifth Georgia) cavalry and
Villepigue's battery to be sent to report to
Brigadier-General Robertson, at Green Pond, S.C., so soon
as it can be spared by you. Respectfully, your obedient
servant, JNO. M. OTEY, Assistant Adjutant-General. O.R.--
SERIES I--VOLUME XXXV/2

MARCH 4-MAY 14, 1864.--Operations in
Florida. Report of Maj. Gen. Patton Anderson, C. S. Army,
commanding District of Florida .HEADQUARTERS MILITARY
DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, In the Field, near Jacksonville,
Fla., May 14, 1864. . Capt. H. W. FEILDEN, Assistant
Adjutant-General

CAPTAIN: In compliance with the request
of the major-general commanding, Samuel Jones,
communicated to me in your letter of the 10th instant, I
have the honor to submit the following report of the
operations of the troops of this district, and of those,
so far as known, of the enemy, during the last two
months: On the 4th March last, in obedience to an order
from the War Department, I assumed command of the
District of Florida. The district was divided into
sub-districts, the geographical limits of which are as
follows, viz: Sub-District No. 1 embraces all that
portion of Florida between the Choctawhatchee River and
Choctawhatchee Bay, in West Florida, and the Suwannee
River; Sub-District No. 2 embraces all of Florida east of
the Suwannee River. Brig. Gen. William M. Gardner
commands Sub-District No. 1 and Brigadier-General Finegan
commands Sub-District No. 2.

At the time I assumed command the enemy
occupied Jacksonville in force, estimated upon the best
information that could be obtained at about 12,000,
having strong fortifications on the land side of the
place, with the additional defense of two gun-boats in
the Saint John's River. Our forces, numbering at that
time about 8,000 of all arms, had taken position,
infantry and artillery, on the west side of McGirt's
Creek, about 12 miles from Jacksonville, at the point
where the railroad and wagon roads from that place to
Lake City cross the creek. General Beauregard had
preceded me a few days to this point, and was present,
supervising and directing our movements. Breast-works and
stockades were immediately constructed at this position,
and similar fortifications of a more permanent character
were thrown up at Baldwin, 8 miles in rear of McGirt's
Creek, and at the intersection of the railroads running
from Fernandina to Cedar Keys and from Jacksonville to
Lake City.

For a time there were many indications
which gave promise of an advance by the enemy, and every
preparation was made to meet him at McGirt's Creek in the
first place, or in the event he should turn that
position, or in any other way compel us to abandon it,
then at Baldwin, where it was believed a successful
defense might be made against three times our number.
During this time, too, there was considerable alarm felt
by many of the citizens of Middle Florida on account of
recent depredations committed or threatened by bands of
deserters, disloyal persons, and bandits, who had been
gathering and forming semi-organizations along the coast
and in the southern and inaccessible portions of Taylor
and La Fayette Counties, and who had become emboldened to
acts of plunder and spoliation by reason of the
withdrawal of troops from that region for the purpose of
meeting the invasion by the enemy in the eastern portion
of the State.

South Florida, by reason of the same
causes, was infested with similar bands. In each of these
regions the enemy was known to be inciting the
disaffected to deeds of disloyalty, plunder, and
bloodshed, furnishing arms, subsistence, clothing, and
encouragement to all who would desert the Confederate
colors and resist the enforcement of the Confederate
laws. In this way several planters in Jefferson and
Madison Counties, bordering on the disaffected region of
Taylor and La Fayette, lost a number of slaves, who were
either enticed or taken by force away, and who found
their way to the enemy's vessels along the Gulf coast
between Saint Mark's and Tampa. Cattle were also stolen
and carried to the enemy from those counties in South
Florida whence has been drawn a large proportion of the
beef supplied by our commissaries of subsistence.
Brigadier-General Gardner, in whose sub-district are
Taylor and La Fayette Counties, was directed to take
vigorous and prompt steps to suppress the lawlessness of
these bandits within the limits of his command, and
preparations were made to use like measures against those
in South Florida so soon as a sufficient force for that
purpose could be safely detached from our main force,
then confronting superior numbers at Jacksonville. In the
mean time, however, and about the 4th March, General
Beauregard issued a proclamation offering pardon, on
certain conditions, to those in South Florida who had
deserted from the Confederate Army, or who were absent
from it without leave, and to those who were evading
conscription.

On the 20th March, the Governor of the
State issued a similar proclamation, approved by the
general commanding, addressed to and affecting those
similarly situated in Taylor and La Fayette Counties.
Some availed themselves of the terms of this latter
proclamation; how many, I am unable to state, though it
is believed that the number was not large. A few also in
South Florida embraced the terms offered them, but most
of that few are believed to have either gone back to the
enemy or are remaining at home, where it is difficult to
lay hands on them. By the terms of the proclamation they
were to report themselves to the agents of the
Subsistence Department in that region, and were to be
detailed to remain there as cattle drivers.

In the latter part of March, General
Beauregard left Florida for Carolina, having first
explained to me his views and instructions in regard to
future operations. At this time our effective force
operating near Jacksonville was as follows: Infantry,
6,290; cavalry, 1,568; artillery, 487; and that of the
enemy in Jacksonville was estimated at 10,000 of all
arms, with 1,500 at Palatka, and from 500 to 1,000 at
each of the places Saint Augustine and Fernandina. Having
succeeded by the 1st of April, through the energy and
skill of Capt. E. Pliny Bryan, of General Beauregard's
staff, in planting a number of torpedoes in the channel
of the Saint John's River, about 15 miles above
Jacksonville, by which the enemy's communication with his
garrison at Palatka was rendered precarious, and deeming
it probable now that another advance on his part was not
contemplated, a vigorous assault upon Palatka which would
result in its capture was thought to be practicable. This
belief was greatly encouraged by the fact, on the morning
of the 1st of April, at 4 o'clock, one of the largest
transports of the enemy while descending the river from
Palatka exploded a torpedo and sunk in 3 fathoms of
water. A section of artillery, under Lieutenant Gamble,
supported by infantry under command of Captain Grieve,
First Georgia Regulars, was dispatched at once to
complete the wreck.

They reached the bank of the river
opposite the wreck a little before daylight on the 2d,
and after firing a few rounds at that portion of the boat
which was above water, Captain Bryan, with 2 men, boarded
her and set fire to her upper works, which soon reduced
them to the water's edge. She proved to be the
double-stack, side-wheel steamer Maple Leaf, and was
loaded with the camp and garrison equipage of three
regiments recently arrived at Jacksonville on account of
some hurried necessity which required her first to
proceed up to Palatka.

On the 2d of April, therefore,
Brigadier-General Finegan was directed to proceed by rail
from Baldwin to Waldo with about 2,500 infantry and six
pieces of artillery; thence by the nearest practicable
route to Palatka, which place he was to attack and carry,
after which he was to be governed by circumstances and
await further orders. Between Waldo and Palatka he was to
be joined by Lieutenant-Colonel Martin, Sixth Florida
Battalion, with about 400 infantry, and
Lieutenant-Colonel
Harris,
Fourth Georgia Cavalry, with the same
number of cavalry. On account of the condition of the
transportation by rail from Baldwin to Waldo he was
provokingly detained, consuming more hours than miles
traveled in reaching the latter place. It had been
expected he would reach Palatka in time to commence the
assault on the morning of the 4th, and he had not been
able to move his whole command from Waldo, which is
distant from Palatka about 38 miles.

On the night of the 3d April, our scout
in the river between the bar and Jacksonville reported
the following arrivals at Jacksonville from sea, viz: The
Canonicus, with a few white troops; the Dictator, crowded
with negro troops; large black steamer, with a few white
troops and horses; the Mary Benton, a good many white
troops, horses, and mules; the Delaware, crowded with
white troops; a black transport, largest size, crowded
with white troops; a large nameless transport, crowded
with white troops. And early on the morning of the 4th
the same scout reported the following arrivals, viz: A
gunboat, crowded with horses and men; two large
transports, crowded with men and horses. On the 30th
March, the Maple Leaf and Charles Houghton had arrived
with men and horses on board. Under these circumstances
it was deemed prudent to recall Finegan, which was done
on the 5th instant. On that night, too, the same scout
reported the arrival in the afternoon of a large
transport, crowded with horses and a few men, and after
dark another large white transport; could not tell if she
had troops. These indications pointed to another attempt
on the part of the enemy to advance into the interior of
and occupy the State. All of our available force was held
in hand, and every preparation made to meet him.

In the mean time Brigadier-General
Gardner, with a small force and by vigorous measures, had
succeeded to a great extent in breaking up the rendezvous
of the deserters, &c., in Taylor County and La
Fayette, and in restoring quiet, and establishing a sense
of security along the borders of Madison and Jefferson,
the threatened settlements. As yet I have received no
detailed report of these operations and am therefore
unable to speak of them, except in general terms. South
Florida, though being more distant and very difficult of
access by our troops, was still infested by bands of
deserters, skulkers, and Yankees, whose numbers and
depredations were daily increasing. Threatened by such a
force as the enemy then had at Jacksonville, it would
have been extremely imprudent, if not criminally rash, to
have made any detachment from our main force in front of
Jacksonville, for the purpose of operating in a field so
distant as that which comprises the haunts of these
outlaws.

On the 12th of April, the enemy
withdrew his garrison from Palatka. One regiment of negro
troops (Kansas), under Montgomery, was transferred to the
opposite (east) side of the Saint John's, at the village,
Picolata, where it still remains, partially fortified,
and having a few pieces of light artillery in the works.
The other four regiments composing the garrison at
Palatka were either sent across to Saint Augustine and
then took shipping for the north, or they marched down
the Saint John's on the east side to Jacksonville. As the
peninsula embraced between the lower Saint John's and the
Atlantic, forming the parallelogram on the map,, Saint
Augustine, Picolata, Jacksonville, and mouth of Saint
John'
s is wholly within the enemy's possession and
very difficult of access by our scouts, it was impossible
to keep ourselves well advised of all his movements on
that side of the river; hence I am uncertain as to the
movements of the four regiments above referred to, after
they left Palatka.

On the 8th day of April, the enemy
commenced sending troops away from Jacksonville
by sea, and has continued to do so up to the 11th
May, as per reports of scouts on the banks of the
river below Jacksonville, of which the following
are extracts:

April 8.--One transport, 300 to 500 troops.

April 9.--Two transports, one with 200 or 300, one with 300 or 400 troops.

April 13.--Three transports loaded with troops; and the Charles Houghton made
three trips to some point just below Jacksonville, loaded
each trip with troops.

April 15.--One transport loaded with troops.

April 16.--Four transports loaded with from 1,500 to 2,000 troops.

April 17.--Two transports loaded with 800 troops.

April 20.--One transport loaded with 600 troops.

April 21.--Two transports (one had about 600 troops).

April 22.--Two transports loaded with troops and horses.

April 23.--One transport loaded with troops and horses.

April 24.--One transport loaded with 500 or 600 troops.

April 25.--Two large steamers loaded with troops.

April 27.--Two transports, some troops on board.

April 28.--One steamer loaded with wagons and artillery.

April 29.--One large steamer loaded with troops.

May 9.--One transport loaded with troops. The Mary Benton,
horses and many troops. I have estimated
that the troops sent off from Jacksonville as above
reported amount in all to about 9,200. Other vessels have
left Jacksonville between the 8th April
and the 11th May, but either few troops
were on them, or they passed down the
river in the night so that the scout
could not see whether they contained
troops or not. It is possible that 1,500
should be added to the above estimate to
cover all who were sent off without our
knowledge. There have been sent off from
this district the following troops at
dates annexed:

All of the cavalry, and part of the
infantry and artillery above mentioned, were sent across
the country from Camp Milton, in Florida, to Tebeauville,
Ga., that being deemed the most expeditious route to
Savannah under all the circumstances.

On the 24th of April, the Sixty-fourth
Regiment Georgia Volunteers was detached and sent to
South Florida for service against the deserters and
Yankees in that region. No field officer being present
for duty with the regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Brevard,
of the Second Florida Battalion, whose familiarity with
the country and citizens where operations were proposed
to be carried on, and upon whose judgment, skill, and
courage reliance could be placed, was assigned to the
command of the expedition. His instructions were of a
general character, to arrest deserters, skulkers, punish
and drive out plunderers and Yankees, and to afford every
assistance in his power to the agents of the Government
whose duty it was to collect beef-cattle for the army,
and to the farmers in the legitimate pursuit of their
business. He had only proceeded a little over 100 miles
and reached the borders of the field of operations, when
the order to send the Sixty-fourth Georgia Regiment to
Carolina reached me by telegraph. The terms of the
dispatch were so urgent as to induce me to recall this
regiment at once. As soon, however, as new dispositions
could be made and transportation obtained, another force
(Bonaud's battalion) was sent to the same quarter, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Brevard, with instructions as before.
In the mean time the enemy, led on and reinforced by
deserters and disloyals, made predatory raids upon the
coast, destroying salt-works, stealing cattle, and
burning dwellings.

On the 22d April, they came a short
distance up the Suwannee River in launches, and carried
off 20 or 30 bales of cotton and burned (as reported by
citizens) about 300 more, of which 14 belonged to the
Government. On the 6th May, they landed at Tampa and
arrested several citizens, but what other acts were
perpetrated by them I have as yet been unable to learn.
On the following night they are reported to have
destroyed the village of Brooksville, but this needs
confirmation (since ascertained to have been without
foundation). In the mean time Lieutenant-Colonel Brevard
had been diverted somewhat from his direct course to the
southern coast for the purpose, if possible, of cutting
off or punishing a raiding party of the enemy from Saint
Augustine, who had made their way southward on the east
side of the Saint John's, and were reported to be
crossing over at Volusia, or a point not far above, for
the purpose of driving off cattle and negroes from the
settlement near Ocala and south of that place. As he has
no cavalry (no forage in the country and too far to
transport it) I do not anticipate any other results
against these last-mentioned raiders than to cause them
to return to Saint Augustine and Jacksonville. But it is
believed that much good will be derived from the
expedition generally, by reason of the protection which
will be afforded by it to the agents of the Commissary
Department engaged in the collection of beef-cattle in
that region, as well as the confidence its presence will
inspire in the loyal slave owners and planters, whose
property and operations have been threatened. In any of
these expeditions, however, upon the coast the most that
can be accomplished with the means at hand is to drive
the lawless bands from the mainland. When this has been
done they take refuge on the innumerable islands and keys
along the coast, from which, with the assistance of their
small boats, and re-enforced from their blockading
vessels, they can make descents on the mainland, whenever
our troops are withdrawn, or at points impossible to be
guarded.

To remedy this I propose to construct
boats of a light draught, suitable for the purpose, in
which we can take the offensive against these island
rendezvous. With half a dozen such crafts, carrying from
20 to 25 men, each convoyed by a larger one, but of light
draught, carrying a boat howitzer, I am of the opinion
the islands might in time be entirely cleared of the
outlaws. The depth of water for some distance seaward
does not allow of gunboats approaching within range of
these keys, and but rarely could the enemy use his
larger-sized launches efficaciously against such a fleet
as I have described. I have therefore directed the
quartermaster to procure the building of such boats,
under the supervision of an able and skillful
steamboatman, whose experience in matters of the kind is
believed to be such as will insure success.

The cost to the Government will be
trifling, compared with the results. As yet it cannot be
definitely ascertained. Most of the work is being done by
details of the army. It is believed, too, that great
damage could be inflicted upon the enemy's water craft in
the Saint John's River, if a torpedo-boat, such as I have
learned has been tested in the waters of Charleston
Harbor, could be procured to operate against them. There
are now, and have been for more than a month, four
gun-boats between Picolata and the mouth of the river.
Innumerable creeks, bays, and lakes empty their waters
into the Saint John's on its east side, which is in our
possession. Several of these streams are navigable by
steamers drawing 5 and 6 feet water for several miles in
the interior.

From these, torpedo-boats could easily
reach the river, perform their work, and return within
our lines at any time in a few hours. Through Captain
Chisolm, of General Beauregard's staff, I applied to Mr.
Wagner, of Charleston (who I learned from Captain Chisolm
had the control of one or two of these boats), for one to
operate in the waters, and in the manner I have
described, but was unable to procure it. Captain Lee, of
the Engineers, temporarily of my staff, who is eminently
practical and somewhat of a machinist and mechanic
withal, thinks he can construct one of these boats with
the workmen now in his employ, and with material that can
be obtained within the district. He is now engaged upon a
plan and specifications, and is making an estimate of
costs, &c., and when submitted, if deemed feasible, I
propose to adopt it, and to assign him, in addition to
his other duties, to that of superintending its
construction; in all of which I would be pleased to have
the approval of the major-general commanding.

As Jacksonville has been the base of
the enemy's operations in Florida, and the point at which
his invading forces were concentrated, I have, up to this
time, since my arrival in the district deemed it my duty
to remain at this point, and superintend in person the
military operations of the Confederate forces here
collected to meet him. But as the season has passed when
he may be expected to do more than send small raiding
parties into the country from under his gun-boats, I
shall deem it my duty in a few days to visit other
portions of the district in Middle and West Florida, the
wants and necessities of which can be better ascertained
in that way; after which, should it be deemed necessary
to a better understanding of the military situation in
the district, this narrative will be resumed and made to
embrace localities, &c., not touched upon at this
time. I am, captain, &c., PATTON ANDERSON,
Major-General, Commanding O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXV/1

Called back again to the Savannah District.

Following the action at Olustee the 4th Georgia
Cavalary received subsequent orders to return to Savannah coastal
defense. In late April 1864, the 4th Georgia Cavalry
traveled back to their operating area in Georgia and were noted
as headquarter in Screven, and the out camps, by 29 April 1864.
The Confederate a fight to block the Union's attempt to control
the upper portion of Florida and advance up to Georgia
had succeeded for the time.

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#9HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA,
GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA, Charleston, S. C., June 24,
1864.Maj. Gen. L. McLAWS, Commanding at Savannah:

GENERAL: I am instructed by the
major-general commanding to authorize you to send through
the enemy's lines, via Port Royal Ferry, the families of
those men who have deserted to the enemy. In future all
communication with the enemy will be through Port Royal
Ferry and not through Florida, without an order from
these headquarters to that effect. I have to-day
addressed a communication to the medical director
informing him that it is considered judicious that the
office of chief surgeon of the Third Military District
should be merged with that of the District of Georgia. In
a letter written to you of this date you will find the
position of the reserve officers laid down as interpreted
by these headquarters. The very light armament of
Barnwell's, Jo. Thompson, and Clinch's batteries is under
consideration, and will be improved if practicable. The
major-general commanding directs that you release the two
men, Fry, on parole, provided they report daily at your
headquarters. A report has been forwarded to the War
Department in reference to the untrustworthy element in
the Twenty-second Georgia Battalion, with a
recommendation that these men be weeded out and
able-bodied conscripts supplied to fill their places from
the conscript camp. It would be as well to transfer the
dismounted men of the Fourth Georgia Cavalry,
unable to remount themselves, to depleted companies in
this battalion .It is understood that there are between
20 or 30 of these men in Fourth Georgia Cavalry. It
has been suggested, and with an air of probability, that
the double-turreted monitors seen off Savannah, and
another one seen to pass the bar the day before
yesterday, are ordinary monitors, equipped with a movable
deck-house. If this view is correct, it will account for
the difference of opinion, as expressed by your
officers.Respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W.
FEILDEN, Assistant Adjutant-General. O.R.-- SERIES
I--VOLUME XXXV/2

Assistance to operations in North Georgia & Alabamba
including the defense of Atlanta

The 4th Georgia Cavalry skirmished in Northern
Georgia, Alabama, and later in the Atlanta campaign and the
subsequent movements in Georgia battling the invading army
commanded by Sherman from May through September 1864.

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN THE ATLANTA
CAMPAIGN, FROM MAY 1, 1864, TO JUNE 30, 1864.--#6
RICHMOND, June 27, 1864. General J. E. JOHNSTON:

We have no cavalry in East Tennessee,
and that in Mississippi is fully occupied by the enemy in
superior force. The
Fourth Georgia Cavalry has
this morning been ordered to join you from near Savannah.
There is no other force available. BRAXTON BRAGG. O.R.--
SERIES I--VOLUME XXXVIII/4

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#9 HEADQUARTERS, Savannah, Ga., June
29, 1864. Major STRINGFELLOW,

Assistant Adjutant-General: Your order
to send the Fourth Georgia Cavalry to General
Johnston has been received, and instructions have been sent to
have it carried out. The departure of that regiment,
without replacing it by other forces, would, as you are
undoubtedly aware, leave the southwestern part of
Georgia, from the Ogeechee to Saint Mary's, without a
single soldier, excepting the garrison at Fort
McAllister, one company of reserves, and one of
artillery.

The regiment is so scattered that it
will take some time to collect all the companies. For the
more complete equipment and arming of the men, and to
give greater protection to the railroad against raiding
parties, which might land at various eligible points
between the Ogeechee and the Altamaha, some now watched
by pickets and others unguarded, I had ordered six
companies to be concentrated at some point in Liberty
County. I suppose by this time those companies have been
collected and are in motion in this direction from the
other side of the Altamaha, which concentration will
facilitate the movement now ordered. But the other four
companies are so much scattered it will take time to
collect them.

Shall I send on the six companies and
not wait for the concentration of the whole regiment? I
ask this because the telegram of General Cooper implies a
concentration before leaving. To guard against the ill
effects upon the planting interests along the coast by
the sudden withdrawal of the Fourth Regiment, I have
directed that three companies of the Third South Carolina
Regiment, now in the Third Military District of South
Carolina, which were sent from Georgia to reinforce
Colonel Colcock's command, at the time of the excitement
incident to the reported raid from Port Royal, be sent
back to the Georgia coast, so as to picket the most
important and exposed points.

I have called on Colonel Browne,
aide-de-camp of the President, who is superintendent of
conscription in the State of Georgia, requesting him to
give me the use of six companies, or of some companies
which he has under his control by authority from
Richmond, and which are now on duty through the State
arresting deserters and conscripts. No answer has been
received to my application. I will make requisition on
General Cobb for some more companies of reserves. Unless
I receive those reinforcements it will not require a
large force to land and burn the bridges over the
Altamaha and Ogeechee, and there are no works to defend
the Ogeechee bridge and the long trestle on the west
side.

There is or was a considerable
excitement a few days ago in Pierce County, caused by a
number of women armed with guns and pistols, who broke
open a store-house of one of the tithe collectors, and
carried off several wagon-loads of bacon, and burned some
houses. A prominent citizen who came up to inform me of
it, stated that the people of property were much alarmed,
as the women boasted that they had plenty of men to back
them if resisted, and they stated that there were a
number of deserters in the Okefenokee Swamp who, they
said, would soon commence carrying off the negroes, as
the Yankees had offered them $50 in gold for every negro
they run off.

I sent Colonel Fiser there, with an
armed party, to examine into the matter. I mention this
to show the bad effects which will follow should the
regiment be moved at once, and, therefore, to request
that the movement may be delayed until I hear from
Colonel Browne and General Cobb, and can get the
reinforcements on the way at ]east to take their places.
The delay which will necessarily ensue from waiting for
the regiment to concentrate will perhaps answer all
purposes, but one or two days more may be necessary. I
have given Colonel Colcock authority to visit you in
Charleston in order to represent the consequences to
follow from the withdrawal of Kirk's squadron from his
command at this time, and request your consideration on
the subject. Very respectfully, L. McLAWS, Major-General,
Commanding O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXV/2

Defending both Atlanta and Charleston

Confederate defensive positions in both Atlanta and Charleston
began to deteriorate by summer of 1864. The regiment was ordered
to provide support in both theaters, in that it began to move
some companies north of the Altamaha for the first time. In May
1864, Company E was sent to Dorchester in Liberty County, and
Company H to South Newport in McIntosh County. In June 1864,
Company F moved to Camp Rogers in Bryan County. The remaining
members of the 4th Georgia Calvary regiment were next
assigned to General M. W. Hannon'
s command as part of
General Wheeler'
s Cavalry Corps in the Army of Tennessee. On
5 July 1864, Clinch and at least 300 men of the 4th
Georgia Cavalry were in route to the Atlanta area. One-third of
this detachments men were ordered to Atlanta, with all the
regiment's horses. They went on the rails to Savannah, Macon, and
Columbus. From there, they rode the horses back to Fort Valley
near Macon, then on to Atlanta where they joined to General M. W.
Hannon'
s command and participated in defensive efforts. The
remainder of the regiment, about 300 men under the command of
Lieutenant Colonel Harris were ordered to Charleston without
horses and, upon arrival there, participated as infantry in
fighting on John's Island in July 1864. On 13 July 1864 Harris
troops were ordered to re-join the Clinch near Atlanta. For a
period of time, the regiment acted as Infantry (dismounted
Cavalry) and were forced from their breastworks at Mount Gilead
Church, near East Point on 31 August 1864. These unhorsed
cavalrymen were remounted in September 1864 and were involved in
some skirmishing with Federal Cavalry. Colonel Clinch was
admitted to a hospital in Macon on 26 September in with a broken
leg and a "
suppurating wound"
which followed the
September skirmishes. One hundred men of the 4th
Georgia Cavalry and some of the regiment's horses were reported
to be in Talledega, Alabama in October 1864 resting and
recuperating under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Harris
following the bitter fighting for Atlanta. In early November 1864
these troops were ordered to join the remainder of the regiment
near Columbus. From mid-November to the end of December 1864 they
were assigned to Wheeler's Cavalry and were involved in harassing
Sherman's Army on its march to the sea. The advance of the Yankee
army forced the regiment to regroup and next participated in the
defense of Savannah November and December of 1864.

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#9CHARLESTON, S.C., July 1, 1864.
Maj. Gen. L. McLAWS, Savannah, Ga.:

Send on the six companies Fourth Georgia Cavalry,
and let the rest follow as soon as
possible. The desired order in regard to Kirk's battalion
has been given, and General Anderson has been directed to
send you Colonel Hood's battalion also. By order: CHAS.
S. STRINGFELLOW, Assistant Adjutant-General. O.R.--
SERIES I--VOLUME XXXV/2

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#10, HARLESTON, S.C., July 5, 1864.
Maj. Gen. L. McLAWS, Savannah, Ga.:

Send one-third of the Fourth Georgia Cavalry
to Atlanta in charge of all the horses of the
regiment, and order the remaining two-thirds of the men
to this place. CHAS. S. STRINGFELLOW, Assistant
Adjutant-General. O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXV/2

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#10 CHARLESTON, S.C., July 6, 1864.
Brig. Gen. B. H. ROBERTSON, Adams' Run, S.C.:

Three hundred men of the Fourth
Georgia Cavalry are on the cars now coming to this
place. Stop them at such point as you deem best, and send
them to re-enforce Jenkins. They left Savannah at 6 p.m.
CHAS. S. STRINGFELLOW, Assistant Adjutant-General. O.R.-
SERIES I--VOLUME XXXV/2

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#10 CHARLESTON, S.C., July 6, 1864.
Lieutenant-Colonel HARRIS, Commanding Fourth Georgia
[Cavalry] Regiment:

When you get to Adams' Run report to
Brigadier-General Robertson, commanding, for orders to
reinforce the command on John's Island. CHAS. S.
STRINGFELLOW, Assistant Adjutant-General.

When you get to Adams' Run report to
Brigadier-General Robertson, commanding, for orders to
re-enforce the command on John's Island. CHAS. S.
STRINGFELLOW,
Assistant Adjutant-General O.R.--
SERIES I--VOLUME XXXV/2

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#10 CHARLESTON, S.C., July 7, 1864.
Brig. Gen. WILLIAM B. TALIAFERRO, Via Royall's House,
James Island:

The troops must cross by the
Chesterfield after dark. Send Bonaud's battalion, Colonel
Harrison, with all his men, and the Fourth Georgia
Cavalry Regiment. They will report to
Brigadier-General Robertson, and if he is not there
Colonel Harrison will assume command. CHAS. S.
STRINGFELLOW, Assistant Adjutant-General. O.R.-- SERIES
I--VOLUME XXXV/2

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the
following report of the assault upon the enemy's works on
the morning of the 9th instant:

Having been ordered by
Brigadier-General Robertson to assault the enemy in his
entrenchments at daylight with my brigade, consisting of
the Thirty-second Georgia Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel
Bacon commanding; the Forty-seventh Georgia Regiment,
Colonel Edwards commanding, and Bonaud's battalion, Major
Bonaud commanding, I moved it forward at 2 a.m. about 1?
miles from its bivouac of the night before, and formed
line of battle immediately in front of a hedge held by
our troops, and about 700 or 800 yards from the enemy's
works across an open field.

Having thrown forward a line of
skirmishers covering my entire front, at the dawn of day
I ordered the whole line to advance to the assault, the
Thirty-second Georgia being on the right, the
Forty-seventh on the left, and Bonaud's battalion in the
center, the Thirty-second and Bonaud's being separated by
a hedge road running perpendicularly to our line and
toward the works of the enemy.

Having advanced about 350 yards, my
skirmishers came upon the pickets of the enemy, who fired
upon us and hastily retreated. With a loud cheer from the
whole line my skirmishers dashed off in pursuit, closely
followed by the main body. A rapid fire was at once
opened upon us by the enemy behind his works, and as we
moved onward it became more accurate and deadly until
within about 250 yards of their entrenchments, when it
became plainly visible that the enemy were in strong
force and ready for us. Volley after volley, linked as it
were by scattering reports, were poured into our
advancing ranks, and musket-balls swept the field in
reckless profusion, mowing down many of our brave and
gallant men; but my line pressed steadily on, never at
any time showing the least sign of wavering. Our advance
was bloodily contested along the whole line until within
a few paces of the enemy's works, and in some places till
our men mounted the parapet, when he gave way, leaving
his works in our possession.

Our loss would have been much greater
up to this time but for the dense smoke from the enemy's
fire, which from the peculiar state of the atmosphere did
not rise, but hid us from the sight of the foe. It was so
thick that in places a man could not be seen five paces.
Feeling satisfied that the enemy was much stronger in
numbers than ourselves, and having been informed of the
strength of the ground immediately in our front, I halted
my line upon the captured works and opened a rapid fire
upon the retreating foe, with considerable effect, the
exact amount of which it is difficult to estimate, as the
enemy carried off his wounded with him, and probably a
portion of his dead, the dense woods affording him this
facility with little risk.

Having gained the entire front line of
the enemy's works, and Major Jenkins having come to my
assistance with the First Georgia Regulars, a detachment
of Thirty-second Georgia Regiment, and a portion of the
Fourth Georgia Cavalry (dismounted),
which had been held in
reserve, I immediately threw forward two companies of
Thirty-second Georgia, under Major Holland, of same
regiment, and three companies of Forty-seventh Georgia
and Bonaud's battalion together, under Major Cone, of
Forty-seventh Georgia, with instructions to press the
enemy closely and discover his next position, which was
found to be behind another line of works just beyond a
creek, passable for artillery only by a narrow bridge,
which the enemy tore up as he fell back.

About this time I received instructions
from Brigadier-General Robertson not to assault the enemy
further, but to hold the ground already taken. This I
did, keeping my skirmishers well up to the enemy and
exchanging a rapid fire with him during the morning and
at intervals during the afternoon. Toward evening the
firing ceased, and under the cover of night the enemy
withdrew from our front and fell back to his gun-boats,
leaving considerable quartermaster, commissary, and
ordnance stores in our possession. My whole brigade
displayed great coolness and bravery, and too much cannot
be said in commendation of both officers and men.
Enclosed find list of casualties. Very respectfully, GEO.
P. HARRISON, JR., Colonel Thirty-second Georgia Infantry.
Regiment., Comanding., &c. O.R. SERIES I--VOLUME
XXXV/1

JANUARY 1-NOVEMBER 13,
1864.--Operations in Charleston Harbor and Vicinity, S.C.
No. 29.--Reports of Maj. Gen. Samuel Jones, C. S. Army,
commanding Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and
Florida, of operations April 20-September 1. Return of
Casualties in the Confederate forces on John's and James
Islands, July 1 to 10, 1864.[Compiled from nominal list.]

O = Officers. A =Aggregate. M=Men.

Killed. Wounded.

Command. O M O M A

1st Georgia Regulars, July 7 .... 2 2 5 9

1st Georgia Regulars, July 9 .... 1 .... 4 5

4th Georgia Cavalry. July 9 .... .... .... 2 2

2d South Carolina Cavalry, July 7 .... 6 .... 9 15

Inglis Light Artillery, July 9 .... .... .... 1 1

Marion Light Artillery .... .... .... 3 3

Washington Light Artillery .... .... .... 2 2

Grand total .... 33 8 84 125

O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXV/1,

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#11CHARLESTON, S.C., July 11, 1864.
Brig. Gen. B. H. ROBERTSON, Via Rantowles:

Return to Colonel Colcock the troops
sent to you from his district. Take the
Fourth Georgia Cavalry Regiment
with you to Adams' Run by the
shortest route. Give Colonel Colcock any assistance
called for in case of necessity. CHAS. S. STRINGFELLOW,
Assistant Adjutant-General. O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME
XXXV/2

Special Orders, No. 89, from your
office, orders Fifty-fifth Georgia Regiment from
Johnston's army to Savannah. I presume the Sixty-fifth
was meant, as the Fifty-fifth is not with Johnston. Can
you not correct the error and order the Sixty-fifth to
me? In consequence of enemy's attack I have
300 of the Fourth Georgia Cavalry
here dismounted; their horses
sent to Atlanta. Enemy has made no attack here since my
last. I think they will try at some other point of my
lines. SAM. JONES, Major- General. O.R.-- SERIES
I--VOLUME XXXV/1

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND
FLORIDA AND ON THE GEORGIA COAST, FROM MARCH 1 TO
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--#11HARLESTON, S.C., July 13, 1864.
General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, Atlanta, Ga.:

The men of the Fourth Georgia Cavalry,
who were ordered to Charleston during the
late attack, leave for Atlanta tomorrow morning. SAM.
JONES, Major-General. O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXV/2

JANUARY 1-NOVEMBER 13,
1864.--Operations in Charleston Harbor and Vicinity,
S.C.No. 48.--Reports of Maj. John Jenkins, Third South
Carolina Cavalry, of operations July 3-10 and the burning
of Legareville. JOHN'S ISLAND, July 14, 1864. Captain
JOHNSTON, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

CAPTAIN: In obedience to orders from
Brigadier-General Robertson the following report of the
operations of my command during the recent movements of
the enemy on John's Island is respectfully submitted:

The enemy on the 3d instant landed
three regiments, with a few cavalry, on Seabrook Island;
also a body of infantry, with some artillery, at Legare's
Point place and Legareville, and a third body of troops
at Rockville. Capt. E. L. Parker, then commanding on
John's Island, having no force to resist their advance,
judiciously withdrew his troops, a mere picket of about
80 mounted men, to Curtis', and scouted the island in his
front, and placed a piece of artillery to cover the
crossing from Wadmalaw.

The enemy rebuilt the bridge over the
Haulover and crossed their troops and wagon train from
Seabrook to John's Island, and advanced up to the Cocked
Hat, where they encamped and formed line of battle.

On the 4th, they marched down the
Kiawah River road to the Stono side of the island,
concentrating their forces for their advance up the river
road. Having made a personal reconnaissance to the
Haulover and ascertained definitely this move, I sent a
scouting party down the Stono River road to learn the
position and strength of the enemy. This party
encountered their advance at McElhany's on the morning of
the 5th, and were fired into, W. Godfrey, of the Stono
Scouts being shot severely in the foot, but escaped and
brought me intelligence that the enemy were advancing in
very heavy force.

I immediately ordered all the cavalry
except a few vedettes to that side of the island to
confront and check, or at least retard, their advance. I
had that morning been reinforced by the First Georgia
Regular Regiment, Major Wayne, about 230 men. My force
being insufficient to beat the enemy back, I marched with
'the troops and a Napoleon gun, of the Marion, and a
howitzer, of Charles' battery, down the Bohicket and
Edendale roads to get in rear of the enemy, with the hope
of alarming them for their communications, and thus
inducing a withdrawal, which I had not force to compel by
a direct attack in front.

We attacked and routed a body of troops
(colored), killing 2 of them, at Huntscum's Corner, and
advanced to attack their force at Roper's and the
Aberpoolie, when I received information that the enemy in
overwhelming numbers were steadily driving our cavalry,
who were too feeble to offer effective resistance to
them, and that they had advanced to Gervais'. Upon this
information of their rapid progress we countermarched 11
miles to get in their front, and took position at
Grimball's Waterloo place.

On the morning of the 6th, enemy threw
forward his skirmishers, who approached to within 400
yards of our line, but were dispersed and driven back in
confusion by a few rounds of canister and shell, which
did some execution among them.

On the 7th, they took possession of
some buildings in Gervais' field with their
sharpshooters, who were very annoying, but whom we
finally succeeded in dislodging and silencing. The enemy
for the first time brought forward artillery, and a sharp
engagement ensued between their and our artillery, the
two guns of the Marion, under Lieutenant Murdoch, two
howitzers, Charles' battery, under command of Lieutenant
Logan, making excellent practice, all under the
supervision of Captain Parker.

At 11 a.m., the firing had ceased, and
everything being quiet at 3 p.m., I left for Charleston
to see General Jones, who General Robertson informed me
had been endeavoring unsuccessfully to communicate with
me by signals. During my absence the enemy attacked and
succeeded in turning our extreme right by a flank
movement, but the cavalry (dismounted), under command of
Captain Clark, Second South Carolina Regiment, made a
most determined and desperate resistance, his company of
21 men present losing 13 men, 7 killed and 6 wounded. He
was ably seconded by Captain Dean, of same regiment, who
with 13 men charged the enemy on their left flank,
throwing them into confusion.

A gun of the Marion, judiciously
posted, rendered much assistance in repelling the enemy
or holding him in check until our right was re-enforced
by companies from the First and Thirty-second Georgia
Regiments, drawn from portion of our line which was not
engaged and led to the assistance of Major Wayne,
commanding in my absence, who displayed alike correct
judgment and cool courage and skill in handling his
troops, and handsomely repulsed the enemy with loss in
repeated assaults upon our line.

One of the Parrott guns of the
Washington Artillery, Lieutenant Horsey commanding, was
particularly effective, being advanced in front of our
line and enfilading the assaulting party of the enemy.
Our officers and men exhibited steadiness and unflinching
firmness. Major Wayne's report of the action renders
anything beyond this general reference on my part
superfluous.

On the 8th, General Robertson arrived
and took command. Re-enforcements came up. He determined
to attack the enemy and drive him from the island. At 2
o'clock on the morning of the 9th, I was ordered by
General Robertson to direct Colonel Harrison, of the
Thirty-second Georgia, to advance upon the enemy and
carry his lines, unless he encountered too severe a fire
of artillery, in which event he was to withdraw and not
sacrifice his men. I was ordered by the general to take
command of the second or supporting line, consisting of
three companies Thirty-second Georgia Regiment, First
Regiment Georgia Regulars, Major Wayne, and detachment
Fourth Georgia Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel
Harris, to act as circumstances might require.

Colonel Harrison at 3.30 a.m. moved
forward his line of battle, formed parallel with the
enemy's breast-works. His attacking force consisted of
seven companies of his own regiment, which formed his
right wing, and Bonaud's battalion and the Forty-seventh
Georgia Regiment, Colonel Edwards, which formed his left
wing. His line of battle extended about 400 yards in
length, preceded by a line of skirmishers of double that
front and 300 yards in advance. The Stono River road,
with hedges on both sides of it, cut his line of battle
in two. Colonel Harrison, being unacquainted with the
ground and position of the enemy, desired me to suggest
the plan of attack, and I submitted two--either to mass
his troops on the right of the road and carry the enemy's
left, merely attacking his right with skirmishers (if
this attack on enemy's left succeeded his right would be
isolated, as his right was in front of a creek running in
his rear up to the road and said to be impassable), or,
second, to form his line of battle on both sides of the
road and pierce their center. The latter was preferred
and adopted.

I was then directed to hold the line
occupied by our troops (between Gervais' and Grimball's),
in order that if Colonel Harrison was repulsed and
pursued by the enemy we might be in position with fresh
troops to cover his retreat and check their pursuit.
Colonel Harrison then ordered the charge, and his line
moved steadily and sternly across the field, met and
drove in the enemy's skirmishers, and advanced upon their
breastworks. His skirmishers, encountering a fearfully
heavy fire, were checked until reinforced by his line of
battle, when the onward movement was resumed under a
storm of bullets.

In the mistiness of the morning, the
smoke resting upon the ground, I was unable to see his
troops, and supposing from the continuance of the rapid
fire on both sides that Colonel Harrison had encountered
too heavy a force entrenched for him to carry their works
without assistance, and that his men, held at bay, would
be decimated and perhaps eventually driven back, to
insure success I ordered the advance of the entire
reserve to his support. The left wing of my line,
commanded by Captain Fort, not coming forward immediately
(whether from not promptly receiving the order or other
cause), I moved forward without waiting for it with our
right wing, consisting of detachment of Fourth Georgia
Cavalry (dismounted), commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel Harris, and the First Regiment
Georgia Regulars, commanded by Major Wayne, the right of
our attacking force appearing to me to be in need of
instant help. But while our line advanced steadily and
rapidly under a severe fire, which they had to endure
with loss, without returning, for our men in front,
before we reached Colonel Harrison, that gallant officer
and the splendid troops under him, bravely led by their
officers, had swept the enemy's lines and his skirmishers
pushed beyond. Here he paused and the enemy brought up
his reserves and his artillery and destroyed the bridge
across the head of creek, and, sweeping the front of our
new line (taken from them) with canister and shrapnel,
advanced their skirmishers, who became sharply engaged
with ours almost throughout the day.

At night the enemy quietly withdrew to
the protection of their gun-boats, and next clay embarked
their forces, burning their commissary stores ashore.
List of casualties in my command having been furnished by
immediate commanders, a recapitulation is unnecessary.
Respectfully submitted. JOHN JENKINS, Major. O.R.--
SERIES I--VOLUME XXXV/1

MAJOR: Information having reached me
that a large Federal force had occupied John's Island, I
have the honor to report that on the afternoon of
Thursday, the 7th instant, I left this station and
proceeded direct to Church Flats, where I halted until
after midnight. Colonel Kemper, returning from the front,
reported that on the same afternoon the enemy had made
several assaults on our lines, all of which were
handsomely repulsed by the troops under command of Maj.
R. A. Wayne, First Georgia Regulars, in the temporary
absence of Major Jenkins. A report of that engagement is
herewith enclosed.

Learning that a renewal of the attack
was anticipated early next morning, I immediately ordered
forward the Fourth Georgia Cavalry (dismounted),
under Lieutenant-Colonel Harris, and pushed on
with my staff. Having been informed that reinforcements
would be landed during the night at Townsend's (opposite
Fort Pemberton), I at once resolved to attack the enemy
and prevent his fortifying the position then held,
commanding our works on James Island; but an accident to
the steamer prevented the arrival of the troops.

About 2 p.m. on the 8th, Col. G. P.
Harrison reported with the Thirty-second Georgia
Regiment, Forty-seventh Georgia Regiment, and Bonaud's
battalion of Georgians. Having reconnoitered the enemy's
position, and finding him strongly posted and entrenched,
both in front and rear of Burden's Causeway, and knowing
that a perfectly practicable road, not exceeding 5 miles,
led around his left to the rear of his second line, I
determined to detach Colonel Harrison's command to
execute this flank movement, while with the remaining
force I would attack in front. I submitted my plan to the
several commanders summoned for the purpose, and after a
thorough discussion of the ground by Captain Walpole and
others acquainted with the country it was fully concurred
in. Half past 3 o'clock was the hour selected, and signal
rockets were distributed to insure unanimity of action.
Unfortunately the ambulances, medical stores, and
ammunition wagons of Harrison's brigade had been sent
around by Church Flats and did not arrive until next
morning. I was thus compelled to abandon a movement from
which I had every reason to expect the most splendid
results. I then gave the necessary orders for assaulting
the enemy's works at daylight, placing Colonel Harrison's
brigade in front.

The remaining force, consisting of the
First Georgia Regulars, Fourth Georgia Cavalry
(dismounted detachment), and three companies of
Thirty-second Georgia Regiment, I placed under the orders
of Maj. John Jenkins, with instructions to support
Colonel Harrison. Owing to the nature of the ground but
little artillery could be used. The line of attack was
quietly and rapidly formed, and the alacrity displayed in
their preparations for a forward movement reflected great
credit upon those gallant Georgians. They had advanced
but a few hundred yards when our line of skirmishers
encountered the enemy, who fired and immediately fell
back. With shouts of defiance and amid the deadly bullets
of the foe our brave men pressed steadily onward to the
enemy's breast-works, from which they quickly drove them
in confusion to their second line, beyond Burden's
Causeway.

Our loss, though heavy, would have been
much greater but for a thick fog and the density of the
atmosphere, which prevented the smoke from rising. A
dense forest skirted the enemy's front lines, which
enabled him to carry off under cover many of his dead and
wounded, as was clearly evinced by the signs everywhere
visible. His loss was considerable. We took but few
prisoners. Our occupation of his front line completely
thwarted the enemy's plans, as it secured to us the
elevated ground between Burden's Causeway and Gervais'
house, upon which a clearing was discovered, doubtless
made with the intention of erecting batteries to enfilade
our works on James Island.

The second position taken by the enemy
was in rear of a causeway flanked by marshes, which were
commanded by a line of breast-works. The bridge over
causeway was destroyed in the enemy's retreat. Knowing
that many lives would be sacrificed in dislodging him, I
preferred strengthening my own lines and making a flank
attack, which, however, was rendered unnecessary by the
enemy's retreat during the night. A quantity of
commissary stores, ammunition, and camp and garrison
stores fell into our hands. For the information of the
major-general commanding I desire to state that negro
prisoners assert that Colonel Silliman, commanding
Twenty-sixth Regiment U.S. Colored Troops, in the
presence of Brig. Gen. R. Saxton (who has always
commanded negroes), gave orders to show no quarter; also,
that on Thursday, when the right of our line was
temporarily pressed back, Private Cooper, Company B,
Second South Carolina Cavalry, who was wounded, fell into
the enemy's hands. When we recovered the ground it was
discovered that he had been bayoneted in six or seven
different places. I respectfully recommend that the
Yankee General Foster be held to a strict accountability
for such violation of civilized warfare.

You will please find enclosed the
reports of separate commanders. Our entire loss is 37
killed and 91 wounded. The artillery, consisting of the
Washington, Marion, and one section of Inglis Light
Battery, all under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Kemper,
was well served and did admirable execution. Colonel
Harrison, Major Jenkins, and Major Wayne managed their
troops with coolness and skill. First. Sergeant Gervais,
of the Stono Scouts, rendered me invaluable assistance on
frequent occasions, and I would especially recommend him
to the favorable notice of the commanding general.
Privates Miller and Bryan, of same company, volunteered
their services and gallantly charged with the
Forty-seventh Regiment. Private Augustus J. White,
Company I, Second South Carolina Cavalry, displayed the
most signal courage, charging on horseback with the
infantry advance. Too much credit cannot be given a
portion of the Second South Carolina Cavalry, under
Captain Clark, who in the action on Thursday held the
right of our line against an almost overwhelming force of
the enemy. Out of 21 men 7 were killed and 6 wounded. My
thanks are due to Maj. W. W. Harvie, commissary of
subsistence; Captain Worthington, assistant
adjutant-general; First Lieut. T. Henry Johnston,
aide-de-camp; Capt. William Waller, and Lieut. A. G.
Taylor, members of my staff, for their prompt
transmission of orders on the field. Privates J. R.
Wilson and W. C. Meggett, acting couriers, were exposed
to heavy musketry fire and behaved well.

In conclusion, I would respectfully
recommend the erection of works commanding the approach
to Burden's Causeway. The position is an important one to
the enemy, who will doubtless again attempt its
possession .I am, major, respectfully, your obedient
servant,B. H. ROBERTSON, Brigadier-General, Commanding
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXV/1

UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND
RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA (FROM
FEBRUARY 1), SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTHERN GEORGIA, AND EAST
FLORIDA, FROM JANUARY 1, 1865, TO MARCH 23, 1865.--#4

Report of rebel defensive works on the
Charleston and Savannah Railroad from the Edisto to the
marshes on the Savannah River. : Pocotaligo.--No troops
at Pocotaligo, except at the station; two cavalry
companies at New Station; five men at Pocotaligo Station
in September, 1864; militia regiment under Major Sorwin
at Pocotaligo Station; three companies South Carolina
cavalry at Pocotaligo in September. 1864. The depot for
troops is at Pocotaligo and all stores were issued thence
in July, 1864. The station is a mile and a half from
Pocotaligo. The railroad bridge is only ten yards long.
An enclosed work at the old bridge with three large guns,
the ditch about five feet deep; no force stationed at the
battery; very heavy works. At Pocotaligo, to the right of
the main-road bridge, are works with seven guns. The
works extend from the bridge all the way down to the
Union road. At Pocotalig and Port Royal Ferry in July,
1864, were part of Fourth Georgia Cavalry (500),
two companies Third South Carolina Cavalry (150),
Bachman's and Stuart's batteries (250).

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the
following report of operations in this vicinity in which
my regiment was engaged, on the 14th and 15th of the
present month: On the afternoon of the 14th citizens from
the neighborhood of Dalton reported heavy firing in that
direction, and that the garrison was engaged against a
very large force of rebel cavalry. At about 8 p.m. I
received a communication from Col. Green B. Raum,
commanding Second Brigade, Third Division, Fifteenth Army
Corps, notifying me that a large force of the enemy was
moving to the east of me, and directing me to withdraw
Companies D and E (under command of Capt. Thomas Ping,
three miles north of me), and to order Captains Snodgrass
and Craig to report with their companies(H and I) to
Colonel Laiboldt at Dalton. I immediately dispatched
orders to the two detachments, and at 11.30 p.m. Captain
Ping arrived with his command. During the evening I
employed all my force, together with the engineer corps
encamped here, in constructing breast-works and digging
rifle-pits on each side of Swamp Creek, protecting the
railroad bridge and water-tanks. At about 9 o'clock,
having ascertained that a large body of the enemy were
very near us, I sent out two men mounted on mules, on
each road leading to the town, so that we might be
notified of their approach in time to prepare for them.
Scarcely five minutes elapsed before eight musket shots
were fired in quick succession just across the Connesauga
River, distant about 300 yards. I immediately formed my
battalion and prepared to receive the enemy, which I
supposed would attack us at once. One of my mounted men,
Corporal Doan, Company C, returned at this junction and
reported a heavy force across the river. He and his
comrade had ridden past several rebels hidden in the
angles of the fence beside the road, and when very near
the reserves were halted. They at once wheeled around and
started for the river under the fire above mentioned.
Corporal Stafford, Company C, was thrown from his mule
and captured. Finding that the enemy did not contemplate
an immediate attack, I had thirty men of the engineer
company posted on the bank covering the main ford of the
river. At about 12 o'clock the rebels were heard crossing
the river a considerable distance below the regular ford,
and I immediately sent out Company H, Lieutenant
Swearengin commanding, to skirmish with them providing
they advanced upon us. Captain Browne, with his company
(F), was also sent out on the Dalton road for the same
purpose. At about 1 a.m. of the 15th, we could plainly
hear the enemy destroying the railroad about one mile and
a half below us. This continued for perhaps two hours,
during which time the pickets at the main ford of the
Connesauga exchanged occasional shots with those of the
enemy (in which they mortally wounded a captain and
sergeant of the Fourth Georgia Cavalry, showing
that they were still there. We could hear them to the
north and east of us, and I concluded that to divide my
small force (about 240 muskets) and attempt to save the
railroad, would not only leave the bridge, block-house,
and tank insufficiently guarded, but would doubtless
result in very severe loss, if not the capture of the
entire command. I therefore kept my command inside the
works. I have since learned that the rebel force numbered
over 3,000 (General Martin's division of Wheeler's
cavalry corps), and that they came here for the purpose
of destroying the bridge, tank, and block-house, but were
deceived by misrepresentations of our strength, and
therefore did not attempt it. Captain Snodgrass, Company
I, and Captain Craig's company (H) were captured on the
morning of the 15th instant, and paroled on the 16th by
General Wheeler, eight miles northeast of Spring Place.
It was impossible for them to report to Colonel Laiboldt
as directed, as the rebels were in strong force between
the tank and Dalton. For further particulars I refer you
to the accompanying report of Captain Snodgrass,
commanding the detachment. Very respectfully, S. M.
ARCHER, Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding. Seventeenth Iowa
Vet. Vol. Infantry. O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXVIII/3

GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the
following report of military operations in the vicinity
of this place from the 1st to the 10th ultimo: On the 1st
ultimo, three brigades--Hatch's, Saxton's, and Birney's
sailed from Hilton Head and united with the troops on
Morris and Folly Islands and a portion of the naval force
in an attack on the works defending this city. The land
force, estimated at 8,000, was commanded in person by
Major-General Foster, and the naval force by Rear-Admiral
Dahlgren. The general plan of the enemy seems to have
been to make, with the troops from Morris and Folly
Islands and the navy, such a demonstration on our works
on the south end of James Island as to induce us so to
weaken the east lines on that island as to enable them to
seize the important work, Fort Johnson.

At the same time a column was to move
up John's Island and take positions from which our works
on James Island could be enfiladed and taken in reverse,
and where batteries could be established nearer the city
than any they now have. The movement on John's Island was
to be covered and aided by a demonstration in force on
the Savannah Railroad in the vicinity of Adams' Run.

Accordingly, at day-dawn on the morning
of the 2d, several regiments crossed over from Folly and
Morris Islands to the south end of James Island, and
after a sharp skirmish drove in our pickets and captured
2 field pieces. Two monitors and several gun-boats came
up the Stono above Legareville and opened a heavy fire on
our works. At the same time Hatch's and Saxton's brigades
landed on Seabrook Island and Birney's sailed up the
North Edisto and landed at White Point. All of our
available force for the defense of Charleston was
immediately concentrated on James Island. The First
Georgia Regulars and 300 men of the Fourth Georgia
Cavalry (dismounted), and three companies of the
Third South Carolina Cavalry (also dismounted) were
ordered from Savannah and its vicinity to John's Island.

At day-dawn on the 3d, about 1,000 of
the enemy in barges made an attack on Fort Johnson. They
were handsomely and thoroughly repulsed by the garrison
of Fort Johnson, under Lieutenant-Colonel Yates, First
South Carolina Artillery, with the loss to the enemy of
140 men, including a colonel and 5 other commissioned
officers captured and many killed and wounded. At the
same time General Birney advanced his command from White
Point toward Adams' Run, but had marched less than 6
miles when they encountered at King's Creek a battery,
supported by cavalry, which General Robertson had placed
there, and after an hour or two of skirmishing Birney
fell back to White Point, re-embarked his troops, and
rejoined Hatch and Saxton, who in the mean time had
crossed from Seabrook to John's Island and moved slowly
up toward Charleston, our very small force on John's
Island retiring skirmishing; and on the 7th, repulsed
quite a formidable effort to drive them off, inflicting
upon the enemy comparatively heavy loss. But the enemy
nevertheless succeeded in gaming a position from which
they could enfilade our works on James Island. It was
manifestly of the utmost importance that they be
dislodged and driven from John's Island. The force at my
command was so small, and from the nature of the service
manning heavy batteries on a long line of important
works, that I could not concentrate a sufficient force
for the purpose without endangering the most important
line of works for the defense of the harbor, for, having
command of the water and ample steam transportation, the
enemy could in a few hours change their point of attack
from John's to James or Sullivan's Islands or the Edisto.

I had reduced the force on Sullivan's
Island to the lowest point I thought advisable to
re-enforce James Island, and every available man along
the line of the Savannah Railroad had been ordered to
John's Island. As soon as the movement of the enemy was
known on the 2d, I telegraphed General Johnston asking
for reinforcements, and repeated my request on the 4th,
and also telegraphed the War Department and General
Whiting asking for reinforcements, and to
Brigadier-General Chesnut asking for reserves. General
Johnston sent me two small regiments (the Fifth and
Forty-seventh Georgia) and General Whiting sent me two
companies of artillery. I could obtain no State reserves.

When the troops sent by Generals
Whiting and Johnston arrived Col. George P. Harrison was
ordered to carry his own regiment, the Thirty-second
Georgia, the Forty-seventh Georgia, and Bonaud's Georgia
battalion to John's Island and to report to
Brigadier-General Robertson, commanding that district.
With the force thus collected, though not more than a
third of the enemy's force on the island, it was intended
to attack the enemy on the morning of the 8th, but the
steamer sent through Wappoo Cut to transport the troops
getting aground the attack was delayed.

At day-dawn on the 9th, the attack was
gallantly made, Colonel Harrison commanding the advance
column, composed of the Thirty-second and Forty-seventh
Georgia Regiments and Bonaud's Georgia battalion, and the
enemy was driven from one line of defensive works, but
rallied behind a second line and maintained their
position until late in the evening, when they withdrew
and embarked on transports in the Stono, and on the 10th
sailed out of the river. In the mean time, from the 2d to
the 10th, the enemy's monitors and gun-boats (the naval
force had been increased to twenty-two vessels of all
classes) kept up a heavy fire on our picket-line and
batteries, especially Battery Pringle, which replied with
spirit and accuracy, crippling and driving out of action
one of the monitors. But the active operations of the
enemy were abandoned after their reverse on John's Island
on the morning of the 9th.The details of these operations
are given by the reports, which are herewith forwarded,
of Brigadier-Generals Taliaferro, commanding on James
Island, and Robertson, commanding on John's Island. I
send also a copy of General Foster's confidential
circular, found on the battle-field, directing the
sailing of the expedition, and also a letter dated 5th of
July and published in the New York Tribune, giving an
account of the enemy's operations to that date. From them
it will, I think, be seen that the expedition was one of
considerable magnitude, from which much was expected.
Officers captured concur in representing that the
expedition was well and carefully considered and planned,
and was confidently expected to result in the capture of
Charleston. That it failed is due, under Providence, to
the gallantry and good conduct of our officers and men.

Generals Taliaferro and Robertson,
whose districts were attacked, were untiring in
watchfulness and efforts to defeat the plans of the
enemy, and they were admirably seconded by the officers
and men. Col. George P. Harrison is deserving of special
commendation, first, for driving back the enemy's line on
James Island, and, secondly, for his gallantry and good
conduct in the engagement on the morning of the 9th.
General Ripley's lines were not attacked, but they were
constantly exposed to attack, and the reduction of his
forces to re-enforce General Taliaferro imposed greatly
increased vigilance on him and his officers, which was
met by them with alacrity. My staff officers performed
their various duties with zeal and intelligence .I am
much indebted to Flag Officer J. R. Tucker for his ready
and efficient co-operation. Besides his vigilance in
watching the approaches to the harbor, he placed at my
disposal a naval battalion, armed as infantry, Lieutenant
Dozier, C. S. Navy, commanding, which served well and
faithfully in the works on James Island; and he also
re-enforced Fort Johnson with a small detachment.
Respectfully, your obedient servant, SAM. JONES,
Major-General, Commanding O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXV/1

In this Union Report of 6 September 1864, actions involving
most of General Wheelers Cavalry is recounted by the Union
officer of the First Wisconsin Cavalry. At this time both
elements of both 4th Georgia Cavalries (Avery and
Clinch) should have been involved. It is noted that Colonel Avery
was killed in this action.

Regiment left Cleveland May 3, as a
part of the Second Brigade, First Cavalry Division
Department of the Cumberland, skirmishing daily with the
enemy till 7th, when the brigade reached Varnell's
Station. Colonel La Grange, on the 9th, was ordered to
proceed on the Cleveland and Dalton road, with the Second
Brigade, to develop the position of the enemy. Three
miles from Varnell's Station nearly the entire command of
General Wheeler, supported by one division of infantry,
were found in strong position. After a severe engagement
our force retired to Varnell's Station. Loss of the
regiment: Col. O. H. La Grange, commanding Second
Brigade, and Capt. G. O. Clinton, Company B, missing;
Lieut. William Sandon, wounded and missing; Lieutenants
Warren, Company C, and Crocker, Company D, wounded; Maj.
N. Paine badly injured by fall from horse. The enemy
suffered a greater loss in killed and wounded, as learned
by citizens subsequently. From this time to the 31st the
regiment, as part of the First Cavalry Division,
Department of the Cumberland, was on the left, covering
that flank of the army, and daily skirmishing with the
enemy. On the 26th, five companies of the regiment and a
portion of the Fourth Indiana Cavalry charged a brigade
of the Confederate cavalry near Burnt Church, seven miles
from Dallas, routing them, killing and wounding a large
number, including Colonel Avery, Fourth Georgia Cavalry,
mortally wounded. There Captain Harnden was severely
wounded while gallantly leading the charge. Two were
killed and 7 wounded. Total loss of the regiment in the
month of May: Commissioned [officers] wounded, 3;
missing, 3. Enlisted men--killed, 6; wounded, 42;
missing, 14. Total, 68. June 1, at Burnt Church, at the
left of the army, made a demonstration on the enemy's
right. June 2, sharp skirmishing with the enemy. June 4,
a detachment of the regiment drove out a small force of
rebels and occupied Acworth. June 6, regiment, with
Second Cavalry Brigade, drove the enemy out and occupied
Big Shanty. June 9, made reconnaissance in front of the
enemy's line. June 14, camped at Acworth. June 16,
advanced to Lost Mountain; regiment under severe
artillery fire from rebel batteries on the mountain;
remained in the vicinity of Lost Mountain the remainder
of the month. Total loss of the regiment in the month of
June: Commissioned [officers]--missing, 1. Enlisted
men--wounded, 3; missing, 2. Total, 6.July 1, marched
from Lost Mountain to Howell's Ferry, on the Sweet Water.
July 3, sharp skirmishing with the enemy-near the
Chattahoochee River. July 4, returned to near Lost
Mountain. July 5, passed through, Marietta. July 7,
passed to the left flank of the army, near Powell's
Ferry. July 20, at railroad bridge. July 22, crossed the
Chattahoochee River, skirmishing with enemy three miles
south of Peach Tree Creek, on the right flank of our
army. July 26, skirmishing. July 27, crossed the
Chattahoochee as part of General McCook s force for
operations in rear of Atlanta. July 28, re-crossed the
river six miles below Campbellton; regiment, detached,
proceeded to Campbellton: two and a half miles east of
the place, on the Fairburn road, attacked the advance of
General Armstrong's division, 2,000 strong, and after a
severe fight withdrew, losing Major Paine, commanding
regiment, killed; Lieutenant Warren and 9 men killed,
wounded, and missing; returned to Marietta. July 31,
escorting pontoon train and battery. Lieutenant-Colonel
Torrey, commanding Second Cavalry Brigade, was severely
wounded and taken prisoner at Newnan, Ga.; H. T. Persons,
acting as surgeon of Second Brigade, taken prisoner. Loss
of regiment in July: Commissioned [officers]--killed, 1;
missing, 3. Enlisted men--killed, 2; wounded, 5; missing,
28. Total, 39.Regiment marched from Marietta to the Sweet
Water Creek August 1, remained in that vicinity until the
7th, covering retreat of stragglers of McCook's command.
August 7, to the railroad bridge across the Chattahoochee
River. Remained there till the 10th, and then marched for
Cartersville, arriving on the 12th. Recapitulation of
losses: Commissioned [officers]--killed, 1; wounded, 3;
missing, 3; total, 7. Enlisted men--killed, 8; wounded,
49; missing, 44; total, 10l. L. M. B. SMITH, Captain,
Commanding Regiment. O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXVIII/2

The End of the Fight

In a report from Union General Kilpatrick a battle flag of the
4th Georgia Cavalry was captured 28 November 1864.
Major McDonald of the 4th Georgia Cavlary was listed
as captured at Waynesboro, Burke County, on 4 December 1864 and
was said to have lost a flag. While these dates are in conflict,
they are only a week apart and hence I believe this was
Clinch's 4th Georgia flag noted. In mid-December
1864, General Sherman captured Fort McAllister, which guarded the
southern water approaches to Savannah. Clinch's Artillery
company, comprised primarily of former 4th Georgia Cavalry men
were all captured or killed there. On 10 December 1864 Colonel
Clinch was captured on the steamer Ida near Savannah. At the time
of his capture Clinch was serving in a staff officer capacity to
General Hardee. Savannah fell on 21 December 1864, effectively
ending major military action in Georgia.

December 10.--Marched on the Savannah
and Augusta road; found the enemy's entrenched line
crossing the road near the Four-Mile Post. After
reconnoitering the corps took position in front of the
enemy--the left on Savannah River, the right on Georgia
Central Railroad. Remained in this position until the
21st, when, the enemy having evacuated, the corps took
possession of the city. A small steamer Ida was captured
in the Savannah River and burned on the 10th.
O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLIV

A forage party under command of Captain
Gildersleeve, One hundred and fiftieth New York
Volunteers, this day captured the rebel dispatch steamer
Ida on the Savannah River, taking thirteen prisoners,
among whom was Colonel Clinch, of General Hardee's staff.
The steamer was burned by Captain Gildersleeve, he not
being able to hold it on account of the rebel gun-boats
on the river. E. A. CARMAN, Colonel, Commanding
Brigade. O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLIV

The next entry in the Official Records by Special Orders #8
designated the Fourth Georgia Cavlary as the new 12th
Georgia Cavalry.

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA
(FROM FEBRUARY 1), SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTHERN GEORGIA, AND
EAST FLORIDA, FROM JANUARY 1, 1865, TO MARCH 23,
1865.--#2 SPECIAL ORDERS No. 8. ADJT. INSP. GENERAL'S
OFFICE, Richmond, Va., January 11, 1865.

XI. Ten of the eleven companies
composing the organization known in the Army of Tennessee
as the Fourth Georgia Cavalry (formed upon the
basis of the Twenty-third Georgia Battalion) will
constitute the Twelfth Regiment Georgia Cavalry, to take
effect from the 30th of January, 1865, the date of the
organization effected under the orders of General Bragg.
The eleventh company will be the subject of assignment to
some Georgia battalion or other organization to be
designated hereafter. JNO. W. RIELY, Assistant
Adjutant-General O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVII/2

According to Confederate Military History, Vol. 6 Chapter VI.
this refers to Avery's old command and not to Clinch's.

Avery as colonel. The regiment,
composed in great part of troops that had already seen
service, participated in the Chickamauga and Knoxville
campaigns; in Wheeler's corps served through the marches
and battles of the Atlanta campaign; after the fall of
that city remained with Wheeler and shared in his efforts
to save as much as possible from the ravages of Sherman's
cavalry and bummers. On the 30th of January, 1865, ten
companies formed the Twelfth Georgia cavalry, and the
extra companies were assigned to duty with other
commands. Under its new name it shared in the campaign of
the Carolinas.

The Clinch's Fourth Georgia Cavalry continues to scout
and gather intelligence information in early 1865.

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA
(FROM FEBRUARY 1), SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTHERN GEORGIA, AND
EAST FLORIDA, FROM JANUARY 1, 1865, TO MARCH 23,
1865.--#2 HEADQUARTERS FOURTH GEORGIA CAVALRY, January
17, 1865. Capt. R. F. LAWTON, Assistant Adjutant-General
:

CAPTAIN: Your communication of the 10th
instant received. I have done as directed in regard to
the disposition of the forces under my command. In regard
to the troops in the country, there are none but Hood's
battalion that are on duty, and I understand that there
is but sixty left of them and they badly demoralized.
They picket at Fort Barrington, below Doctor Town, and at
Beard's Bluff above, on the Altamaha. They have a
fragment of a company at Waynesville. Captain Cosby,
commanding a detachment engaged in hunting deserters, is
now reporting to me with about thirty men. These are all
the Confederate troops of whom I have any knowledge in
this section of country, except fifteen men belonging to
a Mississippi battalion of General Ferguson's regiment
[brigade]. Scouts report no enemy this side of the
Ogeechee River. I am, captain, respectfully, your
obedient servant, JOHN L. HARRIS, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Commanding. O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVII/2

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA
(FROM FEBRUARY 1), SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTHERN GEORGIA, AND
EAST FLORIDA, FROM JANUARY 1, 1865, TO MARCH 23,
1865.--#3 HEADQUARTERS IVERSON'S DIVISION, January 20,
1865. Lieutenant HUDSON, Acting Assistant
Adjutant-General:

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to state
all quiet in my immediate front this morning. No report
from Lieutenant-Colonel Harris since my last
dispatch. General Ferguson has not reported yet. I have
Colonel Hawkins across the Ogeechee till his arrival.
Fifty-one negroes, picked up at different times within
the last three or four days making their way toward the
enemy, have been sent to the rear. Respectfully, your
obedient servant, ALFRED IVERSON, Brigadier-General.
O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVII/2

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA
(FROM FEBRUARY 1), SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTHERN GEORGIA, AND
EAST FLORIDA, FROM JANUARY 1, 1865, TO MARCH 23,
1865.--#3 HEADQUARTERS FOURTH GEORGIA CAVALRY, January
23, 1865. Capt. R. F. LAWTON, Assistant Adjutant-General:

CAPTAIN: There is no additional news
from our scouts. The nearest picket of the enemy is at
King's Bridge, on the Ogeechee. Our scouts are kept in
front of them. I keep no regular picket near them. If the
scouts on the north side of the Ogeechee watch the enemy
closely, I do not think he can make a movement without
being discovered in time, if my scouts between the
Ogeechee and the Cannouchee do their duty well. I am,
captain, very respectfully, &c., JOHN L. HARRIS,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding. O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME
XLVII/2

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA
(FROM FEBRUARY 1), SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTHERN GEORGIA, AND
EAST FLORIDA, FROM JANUARY 1, 1865, TO MARCH 23,
1865.--#4 HEADQUARTERS FERGUSON'S BRIGADE, Mount Vernon,
Montgomery County, Ga., January 29, 1865. First Lieut. M.
G. HUDSON, Aide-de-Camp and Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen.,
Wheeler's Corps:

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor
respectfully to report that in pursuance of and obedience
to paragraph VII, Special Orders, No. 9, from corps
headquarters, dated Grahamville, S.C., January 13, 1865,
I moved my brigade from Robertsville to Augusta; thence
to this point, via Pageley's Bridge on Brier Creek,
Fenn's Bridge over the Ogeechee, and Long's Bridge on
Williamson's Swamp Creek. This was the only route at all
practicable, in consequence of the recent heavy rains and
the swollen condition of every river and creek in this
portion of the State. It has been very difficult to
procure forage and subsistence. On reaching this point,
represented by the people above to be abundant, I have
been able to get a half ration of corn. Beyond this place
in the direction of the Gulf road and toward Savannah
there is nothing. The accounts from my scouts and
intelligent citizens agree that I cannot subsist one day
in any portion of this territory. The Yankees have taken
everything from the country between the Ohoopee and
Altamaha Rivers and Savannah, extending their foraging
expeditions along the Ogeechee to the center of Bulloch
County.

Scouts report Lieutenant-Colonel Harris
at Nail's Ferry, and General McCoy at railroad
bridge; both on the other side of the Altamaha River.
There is one company of State militia at Walthourville.
This disposition of the troops must have been
necessitated by the entire want of forage or subsistence
between the Ogeechee and Altamaha south and east of line
before mentioned, as, from all accounts, the small
company at Walthourville will not be able to subsist
where it is.

Finding it impossible to subsist my
command or forage my horses along or near the line of
operations stated in Special Orders, No. 9, I have
determined to move, and will move across the Oconee at
Dublin and camp on Turkey Creek, where I can remain
several days, until I can hear from you. I will put
myself in communication with the troops south of me, and
scout the desolate country between this point and
Savannah, so that I may be able to ascertain speedily the
movement of the enemy and pursue all raiding parties
moving west. I omitted to say there is no crossing of the
Altamaha below this place at present on account of high
water. Citizens report that the railroad below is being
torn up to build the road from Thomasville to Albany.
Awaiting further orders, I have the honor to be, very
respectfully, your obedient servant, S. W. FERGUSON,
Brigadier-General O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVII/2

In this next Confederate Correspondence, notation is made of
Captain Hazzard. This would indicated that the 4th
Georgia Cavalry is again in the area and transporting dispatches.

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA
(FROM FEBRUARY 1), SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTHERN GEORGIA, AND
EAST FLORIDA, FROM JANUARY 1, 1865, TO MARCH 23,
1865.--#14 HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,
Augusta, March 4, 1865. General G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Charlotte, N. C. :

GENERAL: 1 have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 20th
ultimo, in relation to the troops and trains at Augusta,
on the 27th ultimo. It was brought by
Captain Hazzard,
not Lieutenant Trenholm, who has not yet reported. I was
therefore in the dark in respect to the condition of the
army and affairs which Lieutenant Trenholm was charged to
communicate. The orders and instructions embraced in your
letter have all been carried out. The troops arriving
here are being organized and equipped, and would have
moved forward, in pursuance to your instructions from
Charlotte of the 24th ultimo, to General Hill, received
on the 2d instant, but the non-arrival of army trains and
stores prevented. The trains are detained at
Milledgeville in consequence of the high freshet in the
Oconee, which has caused the pontoon bridge to be
removed. Every effort is being made to hurry them up, in
order that they can move with the troops. Your
communication of the 13th ultimo, directing me to report
with others of the staff, was not received until the 2d
instant. I had made preparations to leave this morning,
but last night your orders to General Young of the 27th
ultimo were received, by which I am directed to remain
here. General Young is preparing to carry out his
instructions, but will be delayed for want of pontoon
train. This was detained at Macon, in pursuance of orders
from Lieutenant-General Taylor and General M. L. Smith. I
send telegrams on this subject for your information. In
pursuance of your letter of the 24th, orders have been
issued to the staff of the Army of Tennessee to report to
General Joseph E. Johnston at Charlotte. Major-General
Elzey, chief of artillery, will remain here with the
light batteries. I would respectfully suggest that it
would be well, under existing circumstances, that the
larger portion be removed to some interior point, not
only on account of safety, but for convenience to forage,
&c. After the departure of General Young and the
trains and troops of the army Augusta will be uncovered.
Nothing will be left but Cumming's small brigade of
Georgia Reserves and Browne's Reserves. On the 28th
[25th] instant Governor Brown sent a dispatch to General
Fry, notifying that he intended withdrawing his militia;
and on Sunday, the 26th, without any notification, the
militia abandoned the lines and left. I telegraphed
Governor Brown on the subject, but
received no answer. I send you copy of communication from
him to you on this subject. In this state of affairs it
would be better to remove the artillery. All the
artillery companies left in Mississippi have gone to
Mobile, under orders from Lieutenant-General Taylor,
except five companies sent to Demopolis. The order for
its reorganization General Elzey informs me he did not
receive, and was not aware of its existence until I
called his attention to it and gave him a copy. The
railroad has been completed to Atlanta from West Point,
and I have directed Major Hottie to transfer his force to
the east of it and work eastwardly, until he meets
Captain Grant. Captain Grant reports that he cannot
complete the work until the middle of April. The bridge
over the Alcony will be finished in ten days. I should be
glad to have your views in relation to the amount of
stores to be kept on hand in this section, and the best
points for their location; what lines of route are most
likely to become important, in order that repairs may be
looked after. Under existing circumstances, the route
from Washington to Abbeville seems to have lost some of
its value. The reconnaissance of that route shows the
dirt road to be very bad and at present impracticable. I
would call your attention to the fact that the gauge of
the West Point and Montgomery road is the narrow one. It
is highly important that this be remedied. There is no
commanding officer at Columbia, and great confusion
exists there. Beyond there is no courier line. I have
ordered Colonel Rudler to that place as commandant, with
instructions to establish a through line. Respectfully,
your obedient servant, GEORGE WM. BRENT, Colonel and
Assistant Adjutant-General. O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME
XLVII/2

JANUARY 1-APRIL 26, 1865.--The
Campaign of the Carolinas. No. 145.--Reports of Col.
Alfred B. Smith, One hundred and fiftieth New York
infantry, of operations January 17-March 24 and April
10-May 24. HDQRS. 150TH REGIMENT NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS,
Near Goldsborough, N. C.: March 25, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor, in compliance
with circular from brigade headquarters of March 25,
1865, to make the following report of operations during
the recent campaign:

January 17, broke camp at 8.50
a.m.; marched through the city of Savannah and
crossed the Savannah River on pontoon bridges to
South Carolina shore, marching about ten miles.

January 18, marched at 2 p.m.; made six miles and encamped
on Hardee's plantation.

January 19, marched at 9 a.m.; made seven miles and encamped
at Purysburg.

January 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, remained in same camp.

January 26, moved at 1 p.m.; halted at Rushing's plantation,
having made five miles.

January 27, moved at 9 a.m.; destroyed one cotton press; made seven miles.

January 28, moved at 7 a.m.; advanced four miles in light
marching order on a reconnaissance toward Robertsville; found only a
few trees felled across the road and frequent barricades, and half a
dozen rebel cavalry, who ran as we approached; ordered and returned to
camp at 11.30 a.m., then marched toward Sister's Ferry, on the Grahamville
road, which, after marching a short distance, was found impassable, and
returned up to the point we made in the morning, having marched fourteen miles.
January 29, marched to Robertsville, five miles.

January 30, 31, and February 1, remained in same camp.

February 2, marched at 10 a.m. by Steep Bottom Post-Office to Lawtonville,
a distance of fifteen miles.

February 3, moved at 7 a.m. and made Beech Branch, twelve miles; procured an
issue of salt meat and flour for the regiment.

February 4, marched to the left; made about ten miles.

February 5, marched at 7 a.m.; made twelve miles.

February 6, marched at 8 a.m.; crossed the Little and Big Salkehatchie Rivers
and made about twelve miles.

February 7, marched at 7 a.m. and struck the railroad one mile and a half east of
Graham's Station at 4 p.m., making seven miles.

February 8, destroyed half a mile of railroad; made two miles and a half;
forage party secured 1,200 pounds salt meat, 10 sheep, 7 head of cattle, 100 pounds
flour, and 10 bushels sweet potatoes.

February 9, marched at 8 a.m.; made fifteen miles westerly; one prisoner captured,
belonging to Fourth Georgia Cavalry and turned over by Captain Wheeler
to First Brigade.

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS,
AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA
(FROM FEBRUARY 1), SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTHERN GEORGIA, AND
EAST FLORIDA, FROM JANUARY 1, 1865, TO MARCH 23,
1865.--#9 AUGUSTA, GA., February 15, 1865

Captain HAZZARD: If you can be useful in harassing the Yankees
and stopping marauding remain until the 20th. I wish you by all
means to keep us constantly apprised of any movement of the Yankees this
way by the plank road from Edgefield. Respectfully, D. H.
HILL, Major-General. OR.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVII/2

In the early part of 1865 the regiment was active in the
campaign of the Carolinas. From December 1864 until the final
surrender the exact locations and even the designation of the
regiment is hard to pinpoint. Things were desperate in Georgia
and South Carolina with the fall of Atlanta soon followed by
Savannah and Charleston. Confederate troops were greatly reduced
in strength and consolidations of troops was in order. Materials
and supplies were becoming non-existent. Some information found
on the 4th Georgia Calvary in 1865 show them as part
of General Wheeler'
s Cavalry and moving up into the
Carolinas. They are noted as surrendering with General Johnston's
army in North Carolina. A report stated that the unit contained
200 officers and men in March 1865 and was included in the
surrender of the Army of Tennessee in Goldsboro, North Carolina,
following their participation in the battle of Bentonville in
April 1865.

Other references state they some members of the regiment chose
to stay in Georgia to defend their home areas from the Yankee
armies that were terrorizing the Georgia citizens. This places
some elements of the 4th Georgia Cavalry to the west
and south of Savannah. Evidence shows many troopers took parole
in South Georgia so there is strong likelihood some if not all of
the cavalrymen stayed in Georgia after the fall of Savannah and
the full compliment of 4th Georgia Cavalry was not in
Bentonville, NC in April. It is also quite possible that the
Avery regiment of 4th Georgia Cavalry, designated as
the new 12th Georgia Cavalry, was confused by writers
as they are indeed documented fighting with Wheeler's
Cavalry at Bentonville. This makes a researcher theorize that the
Clinch Cavalry regiment stayed in Georgia until the end of the
war and then quietly disbanded and returned home.

The above bove was compiled by John Griffin of 217 Fourth Avenue, Zillah, Washington 98953-9533, If
you have additions, corrections, or comments, please contact him.